Fat Burn Zone

autiemommy

How accurate is the fat burn zone. i found the Karvonen formula and calculated mine. But does that help in weight loss knowing the zone you should be in?

I read on Live Strong where its a myth but then it goes on to describe a theory similiar to the formula stated above.

What do you all think of this?

erickirb

Fat burning zone is kind of a myth. You do burn a higher % of calories from fat at that rate but less calories in total and less calories from fat than if you workout in a higher zone. You will always burn more by pushing harder. Say you are in the zone for 20 min and burn 150 caloires 60% from fat that is 90 cals from fat, if you workout in the higher zone you may burn 220 cals 45% from fat for 99 calories from fat. You will lose weight faster and with shorter workouts working out at higher intensity.

seckler

The below came from: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/target_heart_rate.htm

Heart Rate For Fat Burning
Like many concepts in fat loss and fitness - there are a number of different arguments. However most people agree that a heart rate of 60-70% of your maximum is best when you are aiming to burn fat and are on a reduced calorie diet. At this zone more calories are burned from fat (during the exercise).

However; higher heart rates burn more calories in a shorter period of time, and provide a metabolism boost (afterburn) - however fewer calories are burned from fat (during the activity). Confused?!

There are many advocates of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This involves short bursts (30 seconds to 1 minute) of exercise at 90% (or even maximum) heart rate, followed by a 1-2 minute recovery period. However if your aim is simply for fat loss - use the 60-70% zone. There are some that fear HIIT training can burn too much muscle when on restricted calories - but this is a contentious issue.

erickirb

The below came from: http://www.freedieting.com/tools/target_heart_rate.htm

Heart Rate For Fat Burning
Like many concepts in fat loss and fitness - there are a number of different arguments. However most people agree that a heart rate of 60-70% of your maximum is best when you are aiming to burn fat and are on a reduced calorie diet. At this zone more calories are burned from fat (during the exercise).

However; higher heart rates burn more calories in a shorter period of time, and provide a metabolism boost (afterburn) - however fewer calories are burned from fat (during the activity). Confused?!

There are many advocates of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This involves short bursts (30 seconds to 1 minute) of exercise at 90% (or even maximum) heart rate, followed by a 1-2 minute recovery period. However if your aim is simply for fat loss - use the 60-70% zone. There are some that fear HIIT training can burn too much muscle when on restricted calories - but this is a contentious issue.

Actually HIIT burns less muscle than other forms of cardio as it combines spints which are anabrobic with aerobic whereas traditional cardio is just aerobic, and aerobic exercise is more likely to burn muscle. Body builder are more likely to do HIIT and higher intensity cardio when cutting for competition as it burns less muscle than other forms of cardio.

JohnnyNull

There's two aspects to this question. Does it exist? Sounds hokey to my ears, but I've not bothered to research it. Because:

Part two -- can you calculate it and use it as an effective tool?

No.