Working Out for 45 minutes-Myth or Fact?

PearlAng
PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
edited February 7 in Fitness and Exercise
Someone told me that if you do cardio, you start to burn pure fat to use as fuel after 45 minutes. So first off, I want to know if this is true. Then, I was wondering how it works. Say I run for an hour. Does that mean I spend 45 minutes burning carbs and then 15 burning fat? Or if I ran for 45 minutes, and then that was the end of my workout, would I be burning fat after that 45 minutes just doing everyday activities (or, I guess, at a resting rate?). Thanks!

Replies

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    You do not burn "pure" anything during exercise. There is no "on/off" switch. During any activity, you burn a mixture of fuel substrates. Based on the intensity and duration of the workout, the ratio of carbs:fats will change. However, the percentage (or amount) of fat burned during a workout has no effect on stored body fat.

    You should plan your workouts to maximize calorie burn or fitness gains.
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
    Thank you :) that clears it up a bit
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