Quote:
Originally Posted by AD720
My reasons for cardio are weight loss and heart health.
I have plenty of mass already. 
So if I'm understanding you correctly I am right to assume that doing cardio before my weight training will lead to an increase in calories burned? |
Either or will lead to increased caloric burn. Some will argue that if you do it post weights that you will be outside of the "Fat Burning" zone, but what you actually do is set up your body for EPOC
"Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is a measurably increased rate of oxygen intake following strenuous activity intended to erase the body's "oxygen debt." "
Essentially this is your body restoring your body to the resting state that it was in prior to the exercise and stabilizing hormone levels. It does this by consuming oxygen at a higher rate thus increasing your post workout metabolism.
While this occurs in both aerobic and anaerobic workouts, all studies show that the effect is greater and lasts longer in anaerobic workouts.
So the more exercise you do and more strengthens the longer EPOC lasts. So you get a double whammy effect. Greater burn from doing both weights and Cardio and then a longer EPOC as a result.
There is tons of science behind it, but also from an anecdotal point of view I lost 94 lbs doing it this way. My heart health is top notch, great blood pressure and cholesterol, 43 years old and in the best shape of my life and getting better. I have yo yo dieted lots over the years but (Atkins, Weight Watchers, Juice Diets, Cleanses etc) this was the first time I did it using good healthy eating and exercise and while only time will tell this one feels like it will stick.
Good luck............its worth it.