Question: should I be exercising at a constant pace or with

abtropix

I love the elliptical machine. My goal: to lose a few pounds and be fit. I usually do 45 minutes on "fat burning" mode, which starts up and ends up at an easy pace and it escalates continuosly in between (which elevates my heart rate into aerobic phase). I have heard that in order to lose weight, you should keep your heart rate constant at a certain level, depending on your weight, age and sex. Wouldn't it be better to just do the 45 minutes on the "manual" mode at a constant pace to keep my heart rate at a regular level (ex: 123)???
I appreciate your feedback!

gillleeman

My belief is its more beneficial to do intervals. Is there a programme on your trainer for intervals.

tigertchr23

I love the elliptical machine. My goal: to lose a few pounds and be fit. I usually do 45 minutes on "fat burning" mode, which starts up and ends up at an easy pace and it escalates continuosly in between (which elevates my heart rate into aerobic phase). I have heard that in order to lose weight, you should keep your heart rate constant at a certain level, depending on your weight, age and sex. Wouldn't it be better to just do the 45 minutes on the "manual" mode at a constant pace to keep my heart rate at a regular level (ex: 123)???
I appreciate your feedback!

You definitely want to spike your heart rate and then bring it back down, repeat. If your heart rate stays at a constant you won't see quick results. You could even start with 30 sec intervals. Go hard for 30 sec. . . easy for 30 sec . . . repeat .. . then once you have mastered that make the intervals longer or do incline (Can you do incline on an elliptical?)

Here is an informative article about Interval Training . . . at the bottom it gives sample work-outs. http://www.exercisegoals.com/interval-training-workouts.html

abtropix

Yes, I do have intervals and incline! Will do! Thx!

PokenStick

HIIT's are the way to go!

abtropix

Excuse my ignorance, what are HIIT's???:ohwell:

gillleeman

High Intense Interval Training.

When I do hiits with running I run at a max of 91% my MHR for 60 secs, then run at recovery (85%) for 120 secs. I then keep repeating until I'm done - usually 30 mins.

elainecroft

Your body gets used to doing the same thing if you do it enough. So intervals are great because they mix it up and continually put stress on your body. You can do the same thing with your workouts - sometimes do intervals, sometimes do sustained cardio, and mix in some longer and shorter workouts.

mhotch

I was told by a trainer not to waist my time on the "fat Burner" mode. She only uses that for clients who have not worked out in a long time, and she wants to get them use to exercising/cardio.