Benefits to Weight Training before Cardio

I have recently read that weight training before cardio can help you burn more fat.  For years now, I have been doing cardio for 30-60 minutes and then picking up the weights.  I am up to trying this new technique! 

Start with 5-10 minute warm-up, then lift weights, finishing with 20-30 minutes of Cardio.

Why?

• It saves energy for weight lifting: Cardio burns fat and carbs. If you do your cardio first, the carbs may not be there to fuel your weight training.  Doing cardio before weights will pre-fatigue your muscles. Obviously this limits your muscle building potential because you won’t be able to push out the weight and reps you otherwise could.

• It burns more fat: The simple reason is that weight training depletes glycogen is muscles. Glycogen is used as primary a fuel source for cardiovascular exercise, so with glycogen depleted your body is more likely release fat from cells to be used as energy. When you do cardio without weight training before, it takes around 20-25 mins for glycogen levels to fall and fat cells to potentially be released.

I think the ultimate goal is mix things up so your body does not get used to the same workout.  I did weights before cardio in my college years and was in the best shape of my life.  I am motivated to try this again, what do I have to loose (except 10-15 pounds!)?

Results to come...