talk me through target heart rate and fat burning

Is this a myth? Is there a fine line where you are optimally burning fat vs. not?

Thanks for your help!

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Forget you even heard the term "fat burning"....(at least in the context of weight loss)

    The so-called fat burning zone is low intensity steady state cardio at which you do burn proportionately more calories from fat (which has nothing to do with weight loss..) as fuel but, overall, burns far fewer calories than exercising at a higher intensity (and you're still burning fat for fuel)

    http://www.builtlean.com/2013/04/01/fat-burning-zone-myth/

    http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=1740622b-d130-486c-a4d3-f05d14878ff9

    Training your body to burn fat is important if you're an endurance athlete, not for weight loss.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    myth. complete and total MYTH. even worse, it's a wrong headed myth that has people doing the opposite of what they should be doing
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    myth. complete and total MYTH. even worse, it's a wrong headed myth that has people doing the opposite of what they should be doing

    Agreed. If there was a shred of truth to it, then people who sit on their *kitten* all day long should be the lowest bodyfat people on the planet. Because that means you are a 24/7 fat blasting furnace because sitting on your *kitten* doing nothing means your body is being powered by pretty much 100% fat stores and the fatty acid energy system. right, right???
  • mcgeorge5
    mcgeorge5 Posts: 92 Member
    Thanks for your answers.

    Can you explain to me if it matters at what % your increased heart rate is during exercise? I have been exercising almost daily since May 24 and have noticed in the last couple weeks that my heart rate is no longer as high as quickly and for as long and recovers faster too. I guess that is just because I have become accustomed to the exercise and is to be expected? So I need to ramp it up now or no? My endurance has grown tremendously but I still get sore muscles and still feel "the burn" during workouts and still sweat like a *whatever sweats the most.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Thanks for your answers.

    Can you explain to me if it matters at what % your increased heart rate is during exercise? I have been exercising almost daily since May 24 and have noticed in the last couple weeks that my heart rate is no longer as high as quickly and for as long and recovers faster too. I guess that is just because I have become accustomed to the exercise and is to be expected? So I need to ramp it up now or no? My endurance has grown tremendously but I still get sore muscles and still feel "the burn" during workouts and still sweat like a *whatever sweats the most.

    Your heart rate is an indicator of fitness. The fact that it takes longer and recovers more quickly is a good thing and is a sign of improved cardiovascular health.

    Ramp up the intensity based on perceived effort, for example if you're running most of your runs should be at a pace at which you can carry on a conversation. As your fitness improves this pace changes a bit over time.