Does Exercise Order Matter?

Have you ever wondered if the order of your exercises really makes a difference? It's a question I’ve been asked quite often, and the answer, as you might expect, is a resounding "it depends."

I know, that's not the straightforward answer you were hoping for, right? :-)

But it truly does depend on your specific fitness goals.

If your current objective is to boost your strength, then it's advisable to prioritize compound, multi-joint exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and bench press at the start of your workout when your central nervous system (CNS) is at its freshest. Naturally, this should follow a proper, full-body dynamic warm-up and some core strengthening, that goes without saying :-)

On the other hand, if your goal is to enhance your power output, you should place explosive exercises like ball slams and box jumps at the forefront.

And for those aiming to improve cardiovascular endurance, your running, rowing, and biking should take precedence.

The critical factor here is to plan these priorities over 8-12 week cycles to give your training sessions a clear purpose and structure. We don't want to overwhelm your CNS by throwing a hodgepodge of exercises at it in every workout.

If you ever need assistance with organizing and optimizing your training program, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm definitely a dork when it comes to this stuff, and I'd love to help you achieve your fitness goals.