Cardio Training vs Fat Burning – Revisited

It’s been a really cool experience to be able to write on my blog and share my thoughts, feelings, knowledge with the “world.”  The one neat thing my marketing partner has set up is seeing what they type in google and how it connects them to my blog.  Every week I find people looking for information on Cardio Training and Fat Burning.

In the past I have written a couple articles on this as well as Interval training.  I wanted to revisit this topic.  In the past Fitness Professionals would advise their clients workout for a long period of time at a low intensity.  This had be found to burn a decent amount of “fat” calories.  As you probably have heard through my posts and others that Interval Training is a more efficient way to burn more “total” calories. This is where you should lean to especially if you want to lose weight.

Assuming stress levels in one life is under control, how much you eat (calories in) vs how much your body burns off (calories out) through your metabolism and exercise will determine your weight. Point being the harder one works out the more calories they burn! On the other end of the spectrum for variety purposes and motivational reasons.  Working out at a lower intensity isn’t a bad approach once in a while.  Personally I would suggest doing it on the days you lack motivation and energy.

Make sure it’s not often you miss your “higher intense” workouts with cardio. I understand being human that doing that type of workout can be challenging to get up to doing because of the challenge.  Recognize that yes the high intense cardio – intervals will burn more total calories. Just be realistic and do what you can.

With beginners and people lacking motivation I typically like to build up an Aerobic base to get them going.  The lower intense cardio can build up your heart, lungs, mitochondria which gives your cells more energy, and increases the ability of your body to burn fat at rest.  (Creates fat burning enzymes)

If you are not ready to do hard intervals try this for example.  Walk on a treadmill after being warmed up, 30 second quick paced walk, followed by a jog/run for thirty seconds.  Repeat 7-10 times. This can be done with any type of cardio equipment.  Even outside if the weather is good!

My suggestion if you are in a gym, use a machine that uses lots of muscles such as Treadmill, Elliptical, Stair Master, or Rowing Machine.  The more muscles you involve, the higher amount of calories you will burn.

Keep in mind with your workouts to always work at a challenging but comfortable intensity.  Get your body moving and burn those calories off!

Let me know if you have any questions!