Running Before or After a Workout: What’s More Effective?

One common question that gets asked by people who participate in running and other forms of workout is whether it is more effective to run before or after the workout session. Well, the short answer is that it depends. When you do your run will be based on the goal you are looking to achieving.

Those who want to build muscles may find it more useful to run first. On the other hand, those who want to build endurance and cardio might find it better to run after a workout. Your body’s response is typically greater for the type of exercise you finish with. If you want to build muscle then it will be more effective to finish your overall training regimen with weights.

If your goal is to lose weight then you may also find it better to run after a workout. The strength and resistance training will help deplete the amount of carbohydrates stored in the body. This will then encourage your body to start converting the stored body fat once you start running.

For someone who do their workouts more casually, you may find the difference to not be too big. Instead of deciding whether to run before or after a workout, you might want to actually participate in interval training. This type of effective exercise will have you bounce between running and lifting. It will keep you stimulated and some might say that this form of exercise is also more fun and entertaining.