How do I structure my workout?
Healthy’s Niki Rein on the importance of lifting weights, what to eat before an early morning workout and being clever about condiments
FITNESS
THE TRAINER Q/A
Compiled by Francesca Specter. Photographs iStock
What should I do first at the gym: weights or cardio?
(A) Resistance training is most important for overall health and fast results. Long cardio sessions can stress the body and inhibit results. If you can incorporate short bursts of cardio between weight sets, this will help keep stress hormones low and shorten your workout. If you love cardio then do no more than 40 minutes after a weights session. Take quality magnesium within 30 minutes of your cool down to regulate cortisol levels.