Hiit workouts

SarahR2412
SarahR2412 Posts: 86 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Advise required: do I need to do cardio to burn fat? I do jogging (on the spot) and also a regular ab work out but although I notice I'm losing inches and toning I do have excess skin/fat around my middle and need advise on how to burn this off?! As I understand I need to do cardio along side my ab workouts to burn fat and strengthen my core. Any advise welcome xx

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    If you want to lose fat, you need a calorie deficit. You can do cardio, but you don't have to.
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen :wink: It's true.

    Cardio is not needed. However, I feel a difference when I add cardio to my strength training. I perform HIIT cardio about 2 - 3 times a week, I go to the gym about 5-6 times a week.

    You'll have to find what works for you. Congrats on your hard work
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    We can't target fat loss. Genetics will determine where fat loss comes off. Resistance training will help you keep a larger % of existing lean muscle. So instead of just an ab workout, you might look for something full body.
  • jcummings6
    jcummings6 Posts: 72 Member
    What everyone else has said. Losing weight is about having a calorie deficit, balance eating and burning calories. Burn calories in any way you want to. Make sure you are eating a good balance of protein though so that you burn fat and not muscle. I like exercising so I can eat more and still lose weight. I run, walk, and do body weight HIIT depending on the day, time and my energy level.
  • SarahR2412
    SarahR2412 Posts: 86 Member
    Thank you for all your advise xxx
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Another thing to keep in mind is that HIIT burns fewer calories than just going out and doing normal, moderate intensity cardio. I know a lot of flashy articles (that are about ad revenue) say otherwise, but if you actually do the math it's pretty clear. A typical HIIT session is about 20 minutes, because that's as long as anybody can sustain the intensity for; during that 20 minutes, there are periods of high intensity and periods of rest that don't burn calories at a high rate. The "afterburn" effect is greatly exaggerated, a few percent of a not huge number isn't going to make or break your diet.
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