Endurance vs. Fast Twitch

RaeannePemberton

I have been reading a lot about the difference between endurance athletics and the "other" type which would include things like HIIT, Insanity, or sprinting. I LOVE Insanity but otherwise I am an endurance runner. I hate running repeats, or sprints, or fartleks.... and just prefer to run my pace.

But the more I read, the more I see that endurance training will not help me lean up as much as I would like. I am also learning a lot about how long term calorie restriction backfires on your metabolism. It's all very enlightening and it really helps me to take a different angle/outlook for this journey....

Do any of you have anything to add? Have you gone from an endurance athlete to a "fast twitch" type of athlete? Did you notice a difference in your physique?

tigersword

Optimally I like a balanced approach including both endurance and strength training.

MarieNevada

first, congrats on your weight loss. that's just an awesome amount. You don't mention if you do any strenght training. the more muscle you build the more fat you'll burn 24 hrs a day and will get you very lean. I think a mix of exercises is the best. your body has both slow and fast twitch muscles and they should both be developed. i take two bootcamp type classes at the gym that kick my *kitten* and develop both muscles. i hate suicide runs, at my weight right now, running as fast as i can and a slow jog is the same speed. lol but i try them anyway. It's best to mix up exercises because your body will get used to it and adapt quickly and things won't be as effective anymore. I used to walk on the treadmill, then i switched to the eliptical and now i am doing running intervals, working up to a 5K. i also weight lift 3 times a week with heavy weights, and do the bootcamp classes twice a week. I havent hit a plateau yet and i feel that my body is getting stronger in all departments.

rachmaree

I'll do a mix, depending how I feel. I like the variety of doing intervals, I get bored doing steady state cardio, but if I'm doing some cardio after a workout, I usually don't have the energy to do intervals, so I'll just sit on the stationary bike for a bit.
You don't have to do the HIIT as running, you could try jump rope, cycling, or something like running up stairs... I can't jump rope continuously for too long, so I started doing 50seconds of skipping then 10seconds of rest, and got great results.

JennLifts

I am also learning a lot about how long term calorie restriction backfires on your metabolism. It's all very enlightening and it really helps me to take a different angle/outlook for this journey....

One of the most missed things I see here are long term deficits. Totally correct, 8 weeks then a break is kind of what you want. Not a year break, but a week or two to get your body back to normal before you stress it like that again.