Now to totally confuse you: While often it's beneficial to split up your sessions if both are at a killer intensity, there are times when fusing strength and cardio can be both efficient and effective. In one study, people who cycled for 20 minutes in the middle of a resistance workout saw a greater metabolic impact post-exercise than those who hopped on the bikes before or after lifting weights. "This means your calorie-burning metabolism will stay on fire after the exercise session has ended," Montenegro says. So next time you can’t decide between cardio or strength, why not perform both? An easy way to do is to use the treadmill as active rest between strength sets.
