Interference Effect

I think I have listened to every podcast you have done on the subject so I apologize if I have just missed this.

I remember the main focus of your discussions on the interference effect being around how cardio effects strength gains. For example it’s better for strength to not strength train right after a cardio training.

What about the other way around?

I have limited days I can train on, usually three or four days a week, so I normally lift first and then go straight into cardio. Literally just enough rest to change shoes. I don’t really care about how my strength training effects my cardio training. I’m focuses on just getting a consistent number of minutes of cardio in each week at a high enough RPE.

As an example, after a heavy squat session I find it difficult to row 6,000 m in 30 minutes. If I didn’t lift that day, I could do 7,000 m at the same RPE in 30 minutes. But I don’t really care if I improve my rowing, it’s just done for GPP, I care more about my lifting.

Is lifting and then going straight into cardio causing any sort of interference?

As just a side note, I aim for 30 minutes of SS cardio four times a week. I mix it up between rowing, walking on an incline, and jump rope. I also try and walk my dog 10 or 15 minutes a day. Lifting is two to three days a week depending on my work schedule. If I am pressed for time I will cut a day of lifting instead of cardio.

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Yea, we talked about this in episode 237.

Lifting weights alongside doing conditioning seems to improve endurance performance compared to just doing conditioning. Yes, you’re likely to be more fatigued doing conditioning after lifting weights as compared to doing it fresh, but it doesn’t seem to compromise adaptations.

In general, absolute performance levels matter little in a workout.

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