Which heart rate zone do you work out in?

sarah120906

I'm confused by the whole fat burning, target heart rate, and anaerobic zones. My HRM tells me how much of my work-out was done in the fat burning and how much was in fitness (anaerobic.) Obviously you are working harder in the fitness level vs. the fat loss. Do I really need to workout below my ability to burn more fat? It just seems silly! I would think that the harder you work, the more calories burned = more fat loss...

Opinions?

Larius

It is silly. You are right. Burn more Calories for maximum fat loss.

Caveat: at a lower intensity you may be able to go for longer and burn more total Calories before exhaustion. If your workout time is limited, Max HR all the way (doctor allowing, of course).

erickirb

No, zones are a crock of S%&t. You will burn a higher % of calories from fat in the lower zone, but less calories in total and less fat calories.

Say in the fat burning zone in 30 minutes you burn 200 cals 65% from fat, then you do the higher zone and burn 350 calories in 30 minitues with 45% cals from fat 65% of 200 is 130 cals from fat, whereas 45% of 350 is 158 cals from fat, and for the rest of the day your body will burn more fat as you will burn more from recovering from intense exercise.

GaveUp

When I walk on my treadmill I stay in the zone but when I do my Turbo Fire it has anaerobic workouts too. It doesn't hurt to do both, changing it up. That way you get the best you can get.

beccarockslife

Nope the fat burning zone is rubbish IMO.

http://exercise.about.com/od/weightloss/a/The-Truth-About-The-Fat-Burning-Zone.htm

http://scienceblogs.com/obesitypanacea/2010/06/the_myth_of_the_fat_burning_zo.php

chevy88grl

I don't worry too much about it - though I do make sure I stay away from my max heart rate for an extended period of time. I am 35 with a strong family history of heart issues. No need to put extra stress on it by pushing it to the max. Just my opinion.

Ptarnal

hey i saw u r proflie u have lost 60lbs... how did u do it?? pls give me tips as i am in the process of losing 60lbs.
what exercise did u do and for how long.. thanks

amandavictoria80

I work out at between 85% - 90% of my MHR.

sarah120906

Thanks everyone!