Cardio, then Lifting OR Lifting, then Cardio?

[DudeMan]

Originally Posted by obominable snowman

If your muscles have less energy then would not the weight lifting be more difficult, but isn't the point of lifting to fatigue the muslce so that it builds more muscle. Granted if you did cardio first it would be harder to lift as much but isnt the point of exercise to be hard on yourself? No pain, no gain?

you are partly correct but incorrect for the most part.

correct part: if you want to build muscle endurance, you have to continue to lift through fatigue

incorrect part: if you want to build muscular strength, you have to lift heavy. you cannot lift heavy if you are tired from a cardio session.

solution: do heavy lifting first, then do cardio, then finish off with some lighter lifting at high rep/high speed