I recently began swimming 20mins a day on my weight training days. Should I swim before or after I lift. I have so far read that it is best to do the aerobic activity AFTER lfiting weights but I thought I would ask some of the knowledgable minds here.

Yes, save your cardio for AFTER your weight training. You need to reserve your glycogen for your weight training. If you do cardio before weights then you have depleated some. Depleated glycogen = less intense workouts.

i agree

Bump

Emphasis should be placed on your lifting.

This thread's question is very familar and I question the rationale of glycogen depletion of 20 minutes of cardio causing fatigue from intramuscular glycogen being depleted. Swimming uses a lot of glucose and you would have to post your protocols and workouts for me to give out a more complete answer.

If the low intensity work by any means, be it a cardio session on a rowing machine, medball circuit for core and abdominal work, or by swimming will spare glucose if the intensity is about 60% of V02 max. I see a lot of weight training athletes do cardio post lifting and the amino acid supernova from myofibril disruption is racing through their blood and being burned instead of used for repair. The first thing I want to do after lifting is repair and remodel....not go through a catabolic drain even if it is to "burn fat".

If this is the case, when is the best time to do "fat burning" cardio? First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach?

here we go again

I think you will find the "empty stomach" part of that question starts plenty of debate, but you will never get a definitive answer.

Personally I prefer to sidestep the issue of 'which is better' from a physiological point of view for fat loss etc. Instead I would choose the option that leaves you feeling in the best physical and mental state to face the day ahead. This is a highly personal thing.

As for the "morning" part of the question, I think most would agree that's the best time. Again, don't get too anal about this. There is no point in doing it in the morning if doing it then somehow screws you up later. Do it when it suits you best.

Riker

Do a search. If you cant find anything, then theres something wrong with you. There are plenty of threads on this topic.