Why We Do Conditioning at the End of a Strength Workout
At Pursuit Athletic Centre, we believe in training with purpose, the intelligent approach to training; that includes when and how we incorporate conditioning into a workout. While strength training builds power, conditioning at the end of a session helps enhance endurance, optimize recovery, and improve overall performance.
1. Maximize Strength Gains Without Fatigue
If you’ve ever tried lifting heavy weights after an intense cardio session, you know how fatigue can impact strength. By prioritizing strength work first, your muscles are fresh, allowing you to lift heavier, maintain proper form, and maximize muscle activation. Conditioning at the end ensures you get the endurance benefits without compromising your strength progress.
2. Improve Metabolic Conditioning
Finishing a workout with short, intense conditioning (such as sled pushes, assault bike, or interval sprints) helps boost your metabolism and increase calorie burn post-workout. This is known as the EPOC effect (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption), meaning your body continues burning calories long after you’ve left the gym.
3. Enhance Cardiovascular & Muscular Endurance
Strength training builds power, while conditioning enhances your heart health, stamina, and muscular endurance. Incorporating high-intensity intervals or circuit-based exercises at the end of your session ensures you develop both strength and endurance, making you a well-rounded athlete.
4. Mental Toughness & Performance Benefits
Ending with conditioning pushes you past your limits, helping you develop mental resilience—a key component in sports performance and everyday fitness. It also ensures you train in a fatigued state, mimicking real-life athletic situations where endurance is crucial.
By structuring your workouts with strength first, conditioning second, you get the best of both worlds—maximizing strength, improving endurance, and optimizing overall fitness. Next time you finish a workout at Pursuit, embrace the conditioning—it’s the final push that makes all the difference.
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