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I was browsing the web for new fitness research and I came across this article. 
 
I do not agree with either study…
 
Read the two studies and give me your thoughts.    
 
Cardio before Weights
The question of which comes first: cardio or weight-training, has usually been one of a matter of choice. But if your main goal is to lose weight and not just to gain mass, then opt to start your workout with cardio. According to a new study published in the Journal for Strength and Conditioning Research, putting cardio first in the workout means your body will begin to burn calories right away and then will continue to burn even more calories during the weight-training portion of your workout. What’s better, doing cardio first also means that the calories will continue to burn at a higher rate even after the workout is over.
 
 
I do not agree with this study because if you do cardio before weight training you have less energy for your workout. This will decrease your intensity level and limit your strength capabilities…  
Less intensity = less calories burned and slower metabolism
 
If someone absolutely hates doing cardio and wants to get it over with then that’s another story.  However, if you are looking for optimal results, I would do cardio after weight training or on separate days. 
 
 
Run For Stronger Bones
Resistance-training has long been touted as the best way to increase bone strength, but a new study has found that running may provide more benefits for your bones than working out in the weight room. A new study by the University of Missouri found that high-impact activities, such as running or plyometrics, help prevent loss of bone mineral density better than resistance training. The study also found that the benefits were only found in areas of the body that were affected by the exercise. For example, upper-body exercises do not have an affect on lower-body bone strength. This means it is important to challenge your entire body to ensure all your bones are benefiting.
 
I don’t know about you, but when I run for a long period of time (3-4 weeks straight) everything hurts.  My knees, shins, lower back, hip flexors start to hurt.  I fell like my body is breaking down.  I like to incorporate running into my cardio training but I certainly don’t recommend it as your primary source of cardio, at least not for me.
I do a mix of spin class, stair mill, sprints, jump rope and plyometrics for cardio. 
 
 
What are your thought about this new study???????????

I agree with both studies. 
If your primary goal is to lose weight and your secondary goal is to gain strength, muscle mass ext. then yes put most of your effort into cardio.  For a body builder or powerlifter I would def say hit the iron first. If you are 400 pounds and just needs to get healthy then make cardio you priority.
As for the second study running or plyos places a repetitive impact on your bones causing your bones to think they are being damaged which in turn will cause them to heal thicker so they could handle the constant pounding. 
I do agree with a variaty of cardio and weight training in order to develop over all bone health. 

Really, you would recommend cardio vs. weight training for someone that wants to lose weight and stay healthy??? 
 
I don’t agree with that because you can get the same benefits of cardio with weight training if done correctly….
What is your theory behind this??
 
Also, Thanks for your imput about the second study… It does make more sense. 
 

I can honestly say that it truly doesn’t matter when you do your cardio.  I base it on how i feel before and after my workouts. if i have a “lighter” wrk out day, i may do cardio after, but most of the time i do my cardio beforehand.  there is no scientific analysis that specifically states that there is a decrease in energy if you do cardio before/after

This article is just one example on why you should do weights before cardio

]http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/should-you-do-cardio-before-or-after-your-
-weight-training-workout-201182.html
  
“The study clearly shows that doing a weight workout before aerobics leads to hormonal changes that increased fat oxidation during the following aerobic workout.”

“Here is another angle to the story. Imagine yourself doing 30 minutes to an hour of aerobics and then going on to do your weight training. How much energy do you really have left to do justice to your weight training? After all that cardio, you have burnt through your glycogen stores (which are the muscle preferred source of fuel) and will not have the energy to stimulate the most outrageous fat burning method available to you. An all day long, increased metabolism, because you stimulated your muscles.” 
How can you have enough energy to do your weight training if you do cardio first??

Unless you supplement/refuel properly your glycogen stores (energy) are depleted after your cardio.

Also, after your weight training session your glycogen stores are depleted therefore, when you do cardio after your weight training you are in a fat burning zone..

I have done cardio first just to get it over with and end up having a crappy workout.  I lack motivation, energy, and strength. I basically feel like I am going through the motions (with bad form) and anxious to go home. 
 

Just introducing myselfhere, I came across your post on these two studies and found them interesting.
As for the cardio, I would agree that if your goal is strictly weight loss, cardio first makes sense.  Once your glycogen stores are depleted, you are going to burn fat.  But you may lose some muscle that way too.  So if your goal is lean muscle/building muscle, you would NOT want to do this.
And the study on running… I think there are better ways to build bone density.  Don’t forget all of the stress running causes on joints (knees in particular)!  Weight lifting increases bone density without all the joint damage.

Cardio or Strength Training: Which Should You Do First
By Kristie Leong MD on February 12th, 2010
 
http://healthmad.com/fitness/cardio-or-strength-training-which-should-you-do-first/


Should you do cardio before strength training or strength training first? Find out the advantages of each.
 
It’s important to build muscle strength not only for toning benefits, but to preserve bone mass as well. On the other hand, cardio is important for working the body’s most important muscle – the heart. If you have limited time to spend in the gym, which should you do first – cardio or strength training?
 
If you want to get the most out your strength training workout, it’s best to start with it. Why? According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, muscles become fatigued during cardio training which makes it difficult to do an effective strength training workout. After testing the strength of older women after they had completed an aerobics session, they found their ability to perform strength movements was significantly reduced.
 
This is hardly surprising since a good aerobics workout is tiring and can make strength exercises – particularly lower body ones – more challenging.
The other problem when it comes to cardio vs. strength training is it’s harder to focus when you’re tired after a cardio session.
 
Strength training exercises require concentration to give each muscle the best workout possible. Few people have that kind of mental focus after a thirty minute cardio session. Do the workout that requires the most focus first – and then you can take a mindless jog around the track.


Other Options
 
There are two other options when it comes to prioritizing cardio or strength training. You can do a circuit training workout by incorporating short periods of cardio into strength training sets. This works well for burning calories, but may give a less than optimal muscle building workout
 – so it’s better for toning than it is for building muscle. The other option is to do cardio and strength training on separate days so you can really focus in on each one.


Look at Your Individual Situation
 
When considering cardio vs. strength training, it’s important to decide which takes priority. Are you trying to lose a significant amount of weight? If so, aerobics should take precedence until you can shed some of the excess body fat. In that case, it’s best to start with cardio. If you’re more focused on building lean body mass, make strength training the first group of exercises you do – and save cardio for later

Does anyone know about the circuit training classes that use weights and how it helps burn body fat while building muscle?



I know people in the military that say they have always done circuits of exercises with moderate weight that really helps them get in shape. 



More recently the Crossfit groups have hit the scene as well. Where does that fit into traditional “cardio” and “weights”?

I really think it all depends on your goals.  If you are trying to build a muscle foundation then only doing circuit style training is not the way to go…

However using circuit style training as a tool or alternative to cardio is a great additive to your workout routine. 

I guess it all comes down to your goals and how your bodies response