When it comes to working out, it seems like there are two main types of people – those who focus on weight training and those who focus on cardio. The fact is that it can be difficult to balance the two since weight training is usually about bulking up while cardio is about slimming down.

The good news is that you can have the best of both worlds, but you’re going to need to put some thought into your workout routine. If you’re struggling with how to pair cardio and weight training, below are some helpful tips:

Use the Right Tools

You might think that you need that Olympic plate bundle to get the best results from strength training, but you might actually get more consistent gains from using lighter weights. Likewise, running on an inclined treadmill might work for some people, but it could tire you out before you hit your stride.

In either case, using the right tools in the right ways is going to yield better benefits when combining cardio with weight training. Maybe you just need to work your way up to that Olympic plate bundle, or perhaps you can slowly increase the incline on your treadmill to build up to your peak. The thing to remember is that each body is different, and it usually pays to do everything in moderation as opposed to trying to do everything to the max all at once.

Know When to Do What

You’re also going to want to know when to do each type of workout. In some cases, doing cardio before strength training can be a waste, while in others, you’re not going to get the results you want by doing strength training before cardio.

As a rule of thumb, consider doing cardio first if your main goal is to build up endurance. If you’re trying to lose some weight, go with strength training first as this will put your metabolic processes in a place where they’re more likely to burn fat.

Read a similar article about 10lb weight plates here at this page.