The Fat Burning Zone:

I receive many questions about the Fat Burning Zone and what level intensity is better for cardio. If you notice on most cardio equipment you will see a heart rate chart. At the lower intensities it will usually say Fat Burning Zone. This sounds appealling and many individuals will stick to low intensity cardio exercise. This Zone is very misleading. While it is true that your main fuel source at low intensity cardio is fat you must look at total calories burned. If you look at calories burned during rest (yes you do burn calories while sitting on the couch) you burn almost 100% fat. Sounds great but how many people do you know have lost weight sitting on the couch.

At high intensities you will burn a smaller percentage from fat but it is a smaller percentage of a large number. Would you want 90% of my salary or 10% of Bill Gates? Trust me his will be a lot more. Fat burning is the same way. If your goal is to burn fat and lose weight you want to stick to higher intensity cardio. This may be something you have to build up to but that is ok.

Thanks,

Mike