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Question
If I want to do yoga or pilates or strength training in addition to a cardiovascular workout - in the same session - which should come first? Aerobic or strength/flexibility? Thanks
Tracy,
An aerobic workout first will make flexibilty training generally more effective. An aerobic workout first may or may not make strength training more effective. It depends on how intense the aerobic workout is. If it's real intense, you may not have much energy left for strength training. If you do a heavy-duty strength training session first, you may not much energy left for cardio exercise.
Since yoga and Pilates involve both strength and stretch, these factors all come into play. You may be best off varying the order of your workouts, so you can benefit equally between each of your workouts.
Hope this helps. Glad you're exercising.
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Ken Alan
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To build a strong body, build a strong body of knowledge. Exercise workouts, training programs, classes, program design, workout music, motivation. Cardio, strength, flexibility.
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AeroBeat.com, the first fitness music company. Program design/choreography, 7 Richard Simmons videos. Co-star, 4 Time-Life Medical exercise videos. Chapter author: "Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults" (Human Kinetics), "Fitness Theory and Practice" (AFAA), "Fitness for Travelers" (ACE). Lecturer, California State University, Fullerton California, Department of Kinesiology.
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