Hiya everyone, i was wondering if anyone knows when its better do do cardio/weights in realtion to each other.

I do both when i go to the gym, bike/crosstrainer for cardio and weight machines with alot of abs on the swiss ball. I do cardio/weights+abs/cardio for over an hour 3-4 times a week but dont seem to see any gains.

What i need to know is when its best to do the cardio for muscles gain and general health, or should it be one day on one day off?

Also if anyone used a power plate before (the vibrating plate you stand on) whether its best to use that before or after a workout?

Of course there are varying opinions on this (like anything) but I think the most agree that it is best to do weights prior to cardio, on days yo uare doing both. If you do cardio first, you deplete your glycogen stores and can't really get the full benefit of your strength training session.

Also, make sure that you are not working the same muscle groups on consecutive days when you do weights. They need the recovery break!

Twiceblessed is correct weights first is the way to go .

Power plate is an intense workout really making your core muscles work hard in a shorter amount of time than what you would work with weights .
Doing squats ect on this unstable surface challanges the body and I would go for this alone ,and if you want to add cardio , maybe a fast walk in the morning , or if you have the energy after your power plate session .

You should ask the gym to help you form a workout plan .

Miri

okay if you want to gain muscle mass and have no weight problems i suggest you get off cardio completely. or if cardio is a must for you i suggest you seriously decrease the amount of cardio exercise you perform. cardio is something that goes against muscle mass building if you do it in excess so i suggest you only do cardio once a week and the rest of the week focus on different muscle groups to gain in muscle mass. also get some nutritional supplements that will help you gain muscle easier than without any nutritional supplements. such as whey protein or creatine.

Can anyone tell me more about this "power plate"...what it does (I get the impression it enhances a workout, but more specifically?), & if there's evidence of effectiveness?

Thanks! :)

I haven't used it , unfortunely I can't afford to buy one and have no access to a gym that has one.

It was invented by a Dutchman who was a menber of a coaching team ,he wanted something to improve the performance of elite atheleles .

Just standing on the vibrating surface causes the body to work very hard (the core muscles to maintain balance ) .I have a freind who says his abs are amazing after using it .

The best thing is that in a short amount of time 15 min's working out on this is supposed to be like an hour in the gym ,3 to four times a week is supposed to be enough to improve lymphage draining ( less cellulite ) blood circulation , bone density ,muscle mass , increase metabolic rate and more !

Power plate is an intense workout really making your core muscles work hard in a shorter amount of time than what you would work with weights

Thanks for the great info, luzon. My gym doesn't have this equipment either. :mad:
You said it provides an unstable surface as well as vibrations. At my gym we have a floor pad which wobbles when you stand on it (similarly to a skateboard, but not moving) and requires you to keep balance during an exercise. Do you know if it would provide similar benefits? I haven't seen anyone use it though.

Thanks!

you are welcome !

The board that you are talking about also works on the principle of using your core muscles to maintain balance ( not like power plate which is a very expensive piece of equipment ) . It is however a good addition to your workout as is working on a swiss ball ,same principle ,it gives your abs a really good workout as you need to to crunches and so force on an unstable surface this forces the body to work very hard , both these things amongst others are used in Pilates classes ,if you can find a good class you are better off doing a few as they are very precise movements and afterwards they can be easily done in your own home with a few inexpensive pieces of equipment. Of course ,unlike the power plate you won't build muscle mass .

:)

I see that I might not be talking about exactly the same thing ,what I mean is a core board , though by your description it is along these lines .

Ask the trainer at your gym to give you some tips and have a go !