Explain 'fat burning' vs. 'fitness mode' to me? HRM...

omma_to_3

I started wearing an HRM during my 30DS workout. The calorie burn is exactly what I was expecting and very close to what MFP says. So that's good! And, my fitness is increasing each day, and my calorie burn is decreasing - again, exactly what I'd expect so I think the HRM is working wonderfully (Polar FT7).

I'd just like an explanation of the 'fitness mode' vs. 'fat burning mode' that the HRM reports. In my 28 minutes of 30DS, I'm in fat burning mode for less than 2 minutes. If I understand it correctly, in the lower part of your target heart range you're burning fat and in the upper part of your target heart range you're in fitness mode and burning carbs. Then if you push too high, you switch to burning muscle? I am not fit, and still obese. My average HR during my workout is in the 160's and my max is in the 180's.

GreekByMarriage

bump

HotKanye

The "fat burning zone" is an outdated myth. It is true that when you work in the lower end of your maximum heart rate your body will draw from fat stores rather than carbohydrate but it doesn't really matter. What's most important it that you burn more calories. The really ideal way of training to my understanding is interval training. Just google "fat burning zone" and almost everything that comes up will be explaining that it doesn't quite work that way.

pauljsolie

I have an FT7 also and was told to not worry about it unless you want to be a "muscle geek". You are doing great and in the long run you will burn off excess fat. Keep it up.