Should I Do Cardio as a Warmup?

Great question! While up to 5 minutes of light cardio is a common warmup for raising the body’s internal temperature, it’s not a necessity when preparing for strength work. Your body’s temperature will naturally increase as you perform warmup sets. If you enjoy running, cycling, rowing, or another form of endurance cardio, we recommend doing it AFTER lifting weights so that nutrients can be prioritized for protein synthesis and recovery while your body’s energy stores (glycogen) are still fresh.

Including these simple elements in your warmup routine will help you tune up your body and brain prior to getting under the bar without accumulating excessive fatigue.

About Muscle + Mindset

Muscle and Mindset is a barbell gym located in the Sante Fe Art District of Denver, Colorado. Our mission is to share the transformative benefits of strength training with people of all experience levels by cultivating a welcoming community supported by affordable expert coaching. Whether you're an experienced athlete or a strength training novice, you'll find the support you need at Muscle + Mindset.