Fasted Cardio

How often should it be done if the goal is to speed up the weight loss process? Obviously losing weight is a process and takes times but fasted cardio helps burn fat at a faster rate rather than doing cardio after eating a meal. Just curious how often it should be done. Any takers?

Replies

  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    How often should it be done if the goal is to speed up the weight loss process? Obviously losing weight is a process and takes times but fasted cardio helps burn fat at a faster rate rather than doing cardio after eating a meal. Just curious how often it should be done. Any takers?

    In terms of "takers", read up on the premise of "bonk training".

    http://www.superskinnyme.com/bonk-training.html

    http://coachrobmuller.blogspot.com/2011/06/bonk-training.html

    http://fitaddict.me/bonk-training-risky-or-just-hiit/

  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    I don't like doing it. Whenever I do, I end up hitting the wall about half-way through, and end up eating something from a gas station.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    i do it half the time. sometimes i just have time to eat before i go out in the morning
    or i just do half a chomps pack.

    real food. i cannot do.
  • drachfit
    drachfit Posts: 217 Member
    It really does not improve fat loss. You can eat before cardio, or not. Whatever feels best.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Does not matter how often you do cardio fasted vs unfasted. If you eat nothing before working out and later eat 1500 calories, landing you in a 500 calorie deficit for the day, it's the same as eating 500 calories before working out and then 1000 calories later in the day, which again gives you 1500 calories and lands you in a 500 calorie deficit. Don't get caught up in the whole "how do I tweak every possible variable in order to lose fat as quickly as possible" game. It will drive you mad.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,963 Member
    Cardio burns calories whether fasted or not. The amount of fat burned during that duration is not that significant (and even in an hour of eating before cardio). You lose the most fat from the body at rest on a calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    edited March 2016
    drachfit wrote: »
    It really does not improve fat loss. You can eat before cardio, or not. Whatever feels best.
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Cardio burns calories whether fasted or not. The amount of fat burned during that duration is not that significant (and even in an hour of eating before cardio). You lose the most fat from the body at rest on a calorie deficit.

    yep and yep.

    There are no shortcuts. Eat less, move more, be patient.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    edited March 2016
    How often should it be done if the goal is to speed up the weight loss process? Obviously losing weight is a process and takes times but fasted cardio helps burn fat at a faster rate rather than doing cardio after eating a meal. Just curious how often it should be done. Any takers?

    In terms of weight loss it makes no difference, the fuel source (fat / glycogen) is immaterial when it comes to weight loss (one of the great myths propagated by the fitness industry is the "fat burning" zone, forget that the term even exists unless you're training for an endurance event)

    I should point out, however, that the vast majority of my running is fasted but that is only because I hate running with anything in my stomach.

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited March 2016
    I would also point out that you may not be able to push as hard or go as long fasted vs. fueled. So if your total cals in are the same for the day, you will probably lose more (bigger cals burned, larger deficit) if you do fueled cardio.
    the will be no diff you you are just eating exercise cals back.
  • chaney3000
    chaney3000 Posts: 267 Member
    Cardio sessions an hour or less you can go without eating anything prior. Anything over that hour mark cardio wise, you really need to eat something prior. This is generalized but applicable for a majority of people.
  • mercy7889
    mercy7889 Posts: 17 Member
    I used to do fasted. It made me feel awesome. My cardio was done and over with in the AM. Felt super lean & ready to conquer the world. Do it whenever! They say it doesn't make a difference if cardio is fasted. Do what feels good!
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    Good article and link to studies on fasted cardio is HERE.

  • cbrown_sund
    cbrown_sund Posts: 1 Member
    edited April 2016
    I box and use fasted cardio in the morning to help cut, that and drinking 8 pints of water each day I find help. I only do 5k on a morning at 5am aiming for 4/5 days a week but i notice the difference.

    I guess it depends on your body type, different things work for different people. Theres a lot of articles online that both agree and disagree on the benefits......
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    I box and use fasted cardio in the morning to help cut, that and drinking 8 pints of water each day I find help. I only do 5k on a morning at 5am but i notice the difference.

    I guess it depends on your body type, different things work for different people. Theres a lot of articles online that both agree and disagree on the benefits......

    I'm assuming you do that in about 25-30 minutes? If so, true, it will make very little difference.

    If I tried that on a 10 mile run (About 1:30:00), I'd bonk around mile 8.