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Question
11 Dec 2002
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Fat Burning Taining vs Cardiovascular/High intensity Training
Hi there
When it comes to cardio training, I usually spend an hour varying the means of exercise (I mix in cycling, running, rowing, stepping in a workout). I usually workout at about 85% of my maximum heart rate and I will burn around 600 Calories in 55 minutes. I have been told to rather slow it down and to train at a 65% of my maximum heart rate, as main goal is to lose fat. I much rather prefer the higher inetnsity workout and I find I don't have time to slow it down, as to do the same amount of calories, it will take almost twice as long. If I am not drinking anything sweet while I exercise, am I still burning a large percentage of fat calories if I keep at this intensity?
Thanks for your help!
When it comes to cardio training, I usually spend an hour varying the means of exercise (I mix in cycling, running, rowing, stepping in a workout). I usually workout at about 85% of my maximum heart rate and I will burn around 600 Calories in 55 minutes. I have been told to rather slow it down and to train at a 65% of my maximum heart rate, as main goal is to lose fat. I much rather prefer the higher inetnsity workout and I find I don't have time to slow it down, as to do the same amount of calories, it will take almost twice as long. If I am not drinking anything sweet while I exercise, am I still burning a large percentage of fat calories if I keep at this intensity?
Thanks for your help!
FitnessDoc
Hi Michelle
Stick to what you are doing.
Research indicates that higher-intensity workouts burn more fat than lower-intensity workouts. It is true that at lower intensities, a higher percentage of the energy requirement for the workout comes from fat kilojoules. However, at higher intensities, you are going to be burning more kilojoules overall, which means more fat kilojoules in total than in the low intensity workout. Furthermore, recent research shows that during a high intensity workout there is increased activity of a fat-burning enzyme (HAD), which further promotes fat metabolism, as well as some suppression of appetite and craving for carbohydrates rather than fat. Also, after a high intensity workout, your metabolic rate stays elevated for longer “after-burn” – meaning that some fat burning occurs even after your exercise session.
Go For It!
Stick to what you are doing.
Research indicates that higher-intensity workouts burn more fat than lower-intensity workouts. It is true that at lower intensities, a higher percentage of the energy requirement for the workout comes from fat kilojoules. However, at higher intensities, you are going to be burning more kilojoules overall, which means more fat kilojoules in total than in the low intensity workout. Furthermore, recent research shows that during a high intensity workout there is increased activity of a fat-burning enzyme (HAD), which further promotes fat metabolism, as well as some suppression of appetite and craving for carbohydrates rather than fat. Also, after a high intensity workout, your metabolic rate stays elevated for longer “after-burn” – meaning that some fat burning occurs even after your exercise session.
Go For It!
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