Cardio fails to produce fatloss - interesting studies
Replies
-
Cardio burns calories (just like any other exercise). Fat loss is achieved through calorie deficit.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
This.
If not, why is anyone eating back their MFP exercise calories?0 -
My real problem lies in my nutrition. I work out every day and have produced such slow results in the past year its not even funny but its because i have such a hard time eating right every single day and sticking to good eating habits. Maybe i can get it together with my eating habits and start eating better. I dont eat too much, i just dont always eat healthy. Thanks for sharing this info! Very helpful0
-
The results of my latest study shows that I am tired of studies.0
-
I do cardio but i don't get any of that endorphins. I get sweaty and tired. I do it so I can get lean and cut calories.0
-
Another study trying to debunk the truth. All exercise creates an increased caloric burn, with that (if diet correctly) creates a caloric defecit. With this comes weight loss....with this causes adipose tissue loss.....The trainer needs to go back to the basics.0
-
Got this interesting email from trainer Josh Marion today
Cardio fails to produce fatloss RESULTS. Are there health benefits? Sure. But you can get those same health benefits (and more) with much shorter, much more exciting, and invigorating workouts. More on that in a minute...
But first, here's what research has to say about cardio:
Utter AC, et al. Influence of diet and/or exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese women. Int J Sport Nutr. 1998 Sep;8(3):213-22.
-In this 3 month study, women did 45 minutes of cardio a day, 5 days a week, and lost no more weight than those who dieted alone! Seems like a royal waste of time to me!
But perhaps this one study was a fluke? Nope!
Redman et al. Effect of calorie restriction with or without exercise on body composition and fat distribution. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jan 2.
-In this study, subjects did 50 minutes of cardio, 5 days a week, and once again lost no more weight than those who dieted alone!
Well, maybe if they increase it to a full HOUR of cardio a day, SIX days a week, then cardio will actual product substantial results? No again!
McTiernan et al. Exercise Effect on Weight and Body Fat in Men and Women. Obesity 2007 June - 15:1496-1512.
-Over the course of this one year study, subjects performed aerobic exercise for 60 minutes a day, 6 whopping days a week (who even has TIME for that?) and lost only 3.5 pounds on average in an entire YEAR!
3.5 pounds of fatloss after an HOUR of exercise, nearly every day, for an ENTIRE year. Man, oh man, cardio really is the worst workout ever!
But as mentioned, there is a much better alternative, and that alternative lies in short, intense bouts of exercise.
In fact, a recent study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that 15 minutes of a circuit-style resistance training workout elevated metabolism for a full THREE days! And that's only from 15 minutes!
Other studies have found similar results with interval style workouts as short as 4 minutes producing dramatically more fatloss than long, extended bouts of cardio.
Here's an example bodyweight, short-burst exercise routine that you can try today to boost your metabolism and your fat loss results:
30 seconds of bodyweight squats
30 seconds of push ups
30 seconds jumping jacks
Repeat 4 times.
That workout right there only takes SIX minutes and you'll burn way more fat than you will with those long, drawn out, boring cardio sessions.
But here's the real secret...
NO workout will ever help you lose fat unless you get your nutrition in order. Unfortunately, nutrition is an area where most people really struggle, and sticking to a "diet" long term can be near impossible.
0 -
How come I'm not feeling the endorphins like every1 else?0
-
Diet/Changes in your food intake is for weight loss and exercise helps maintain those changes plus makes you pretty kick *kitten*0
-
In my experience, strength training can also help with endurance gains so again...I doubt those who focus mainly on strength training would just keel over from short cardio.
I don't doubt it at all. The gyms are filled with people lifting weights who flat out cannot complete a 5km run.
If someone can't bang out 5km, they are plainly and simply not fit. And "six minutes of sprinting" will not fix that.
One of the first dumb posts I've seen you reply with....
By your standards? Is there some universal standard?0 -
We are having a little outbreak of zombiethreaditis here tonight guys...0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions