Does the body burn fat more effectively during low impact cardio?

[Rah22491]

Ive been reading up on this and was wondering if anyone knew the science behind this or could provide some insight. Also is low intensity better than HIIT?

[LAGear]

I think what you mean is low intensity and not low impact. You can have close to no impact and very high intensity (i.e. eliptical).

The idea behind this low intensity crap is that at certain lower heart rates your body is using more fat as fuel so you burning more fat.

However, if you workout hard and do real cardio you will burn more calories and you will get more of an afterburn and you will get more fit. There is a reason people who do a lot of high intensity exercise are lean.

If you are lazy and want an excuse not to work hard you can do low intensity and sure, you will lose some fat if you eat right. But if you are serious about losing body fat then up the intensity. HIIT works great and is much more effective then sitting your ass on recumbent bike and not breaking a sweat.

[DAdams91982]

I think what you mean is low intensity and not low impact. You can have close to no impact and very high intensity (i.e. eliptical).

The idea behind this low intensity crap is that at certain lower heart rates your body is using more fat as fuel so you burning more fat.

However, if you workout hard and do real cardio you will burn more calories and you will get more of an afterburn and you will get more fit. There is a reason people who do a lot of high intensity exercise are lean.

If you are lazy and want an excuse not to work hard you can do low intensity and sure, you will lose some fat if you eat right. But if you are serious about losing body fat then up the intensity. HIIT works great and is much more effective then sitting your ass on recumbent bike and not breaking a sweat.

For pure fat loss, a 65% heart rate will keep your body from burning sugars for fuel, and burn fat. if you break the 80% mark you are running on pure carbs. You can usually go for longer periods at 65% HR, so depending on your goals can be more beneficial in the long run.

Adams

[Rodja]

You have to be right at, or slightly above, a respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of 1.00 to be running on pure carbs. V02 and HR are linearly related, but the max varies from person to person (220-Age is a rough estimate of MHR).

[EasyEJL]

I can sustain about 105% MHR for 30 minutes if that gives you any idea, and be singing along with Akon doing it...

Part of the issue with which burns more is that lower intensity cardio primarily shows benefit just for the time you are doing it, but HIIT raises metabolism for hours afterwards. Then add in all the differences of body chemistries, eating habits, other activity, other supplements, etc and its impossible to say.

[Rodja]

I can sustain about 105% MHR for 30 minutes if that gives you any idea, and be singing along with Akon doing it...

Part of the issue with which burns more is that lower intensity cardio primarily shows benefit just for the time you are doing it, but HIIT raises metabolism for hours afterwards. Then add in all the differences of body chemistries, eating habits, other activity, other supplements, etc and its impossible to say.

You get your HR over 180 and can maintain it?

[EasyEJL]

You get your HR over 180 and can maintain it?

Yep. I can sit at 180 for a while if I wanted to, although I generally dont . still able to carry on something of a conversation at that too, which doesn't make much sense either, I should seriously be huffing at that point. and thats using a reebok chest band heart monitor, not just the cardio machines built in ones (although surprisingly they are pretty close)

[D3vildog]

So your heart is like a horse

[Rodja]

Yep. I can sit at 180 for a while if I wanted to, although I generally dont . still able to carry on something of a conversation at that too, which doesn't make much sense either, I should seriously be huffing at that point. and thats using a reebok chest band heart monitor, not just the cardio machines built in ones (although surprisingly they are pretty close)

That's why it should be (220-Age) +- 10 BPM

[EasyEJL]

Doing HIIT, i've hit spikes up to 195-197 :P

[Rodja]

Doing HIIT, i've hit spikes up to 195-197 :P

What's your resting HR?

[EasyEJL]

when i'm not using any stims, in the lower 60s

[crazyfool405]

My problem with high intensity while cutting is it usually elevates ur metabolism too much for you to stay at ur desired calories and end up eating more then u want to lose the weight u want. Low intensity is the way to go IMO unless ur using high intensity for a workout on its own

[Rodja]

My problem with high intensity while cutting is it usually elevates ur metabolism too much for you to stay at ur desired calories and end up eating more then u want to lose the weight u want. Low intensity is the way to go IMO unless ur using high intensity for a workout on its own

Then just adjust. This is the main issue with not doing cardio year round; you lose all conditioning and don't need an additional stimulus to kickstart fat loss.

[crazyfool405]

I do cardio year round especially while biulking because it relly helps. But fat loss I perfer low intensity morning or post workout and high intensity not during a gym day just on its own as a workout

[UKStrength]

I do cardio year round especially while biulking because it relly helps. But fat loss I perfer low intensity morning or post workout and high intensity not during a gym day just on its own as a workout

This is the regime I use and it's provided me with the best fat loss. I never do steady-state, moderate intensity (>70% VO2 max) cardio anymore, just fasted, low intensity or HIIT.

[Rodja]

I do cardio year round especially while biulking because it relly helps. But fat loss I perfer low intensity morning or post workout and high intensity not during a gym day just on its own as a workout

The reason you dislike high-intensity cardio is the reason I enjoy it: I can eat more while still cutting fat. I don't mind working out longer or at a higher intensity if I can eat more.

[mixedup]

I think it depends totally on your goals as has been said HIIT is great for burning more calories and keeping metabolism high. IF you want overall weightloss and cardo condition HIIT if you just trying to strip off some last stubborn fat while mainting muscle then LISS

[crazyfool405]

The reason you dislike high-intensity cardio is the reason I enjoy it: I can eat more while still cutting fat. I don't mind working out longer or at a higher intensity if I can eat more.

Yea that's a good thing but if it increases ur metabolism to the point where u over eat your notg unna go anywhere

[Rodja]

Yea that's a good thing but if it increases ur metabolism to the point where u over eat your notg unna go anywhere

That could be said about cutting in general.