Long & Steady or Fast & Hard?

shanna5
shanna5 Posts: 69
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
What is your cardio like - a longer cardio session that is less intense? Or a hard-core, shorter session? Along with most of this diet and fitness stuff, I keep reading different things, so I'm curious what everyone seems to think works best.

I just read that a 45-60 min cardio session on the treadmill at a slower pace will help you lose weight faster than a high intensity, sweat-dripping workout b/c you are burning actual fat with the longer workout rather than sugar on the shorter workout.

True? It just seems like I get more of a workout it when I'm "feeling" it. However, if I should bring down the intensity and do cardio only 2-3 wk, then maybe I should try it? I've just been stuck at a long plateau, and recommendations are to up the intensity of your cardio, and then I read this. So confused!

Replies

  • Serenifly
    Serenifly Posts: 669 Member
    training for a half so my week looks like

    Saturday - long run (1-2 hours)
    Monday Rest
    Tuesday Easy run (an hour)
    Wednesday hill training (run 20 minutes, hill for 2 minutes rest for 1 minute X20 - finish with 20 minute easy run)
    Thursday Rest
    Friday - Interval - Same as hills but going from 6 mph to 10 mph for the two minutes

    So to answer, both have benefits ...

    I use the intervals to build my cardio - more than thinking of losing fat ... I persnally believe if you're sweating, your working - no matter what form of slow or fast motions you're doing
  • EDBENAGLIO
    EDBENAGLIO Posts: 424
    i do 99 min of tm a day at 3.8 to 4.5 mph and let the tm keep my hr at 60 to 80% of my max. i belive you need to get your heart rate up there. once there i be,ive you need to keep it there for over 40 min. this works well for me

    are you using a hrm
  • lexibelk
    lexibelk Posts: 83 Member
    That's what she said?

    LOL

    Mine are usually long and steady. Even my weight workouts that keep my heart rate up and out of breath.
  • butterflyinamber78
    butterflyinamber78 Posts: 49 Member
    I like to mix it up, cardio 4 days and sit ups push ups ect on the others, though I gave up logging strength training since it counts for no calories. I like to mix the cardio up a bit, different types (when I can) and different lengths. B/C of my job, I don't get to pick my workouts often, and we have a real focus on running, but when I lost this weight the first time, I found that breaking routine can be an excelent way to break a pleatau. Good luck!
  • acknan
    acknan Posts: 261 Member
    If I go super intense, I don't have the stamina to work out as long as I want and for the calorie burn I am hoping for. So, instead I work out longer at a more manageable pace. I can jog for about 40 minutes and burn a bit or walk for an hour and a half and burn more than double the calories! I would rather keep going when I have the time and burn more!
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