"fat burning zone"

courage to be

courage to be

New member
so, I use the "weight loss" setting on the eliptical when I use it - mostly because I like doing the intervals, but at longer periods of times...

on the machines however, and in popular understandings, the ideal zone for "burning fat" is that 60-70% heart rate zone. First of all, (corndoggy especially, since you seem to know) - why is this not necessarily true?

Secondly - I can never stay in that zone! I get bored and have to work out for way too much time, and never work up a sweat. My heart rate is always above that when I'm exercising. What does this mean for my exercise and effectiveness?

Is part of the problem that I'm letting a machine tell me what is "appropriate" for my workout?
 
omgosh. I totally know what you mean. Ususally I just put it on quick start and just go at it, because I did do the "fat burning zone" thingy once, and was bored out of my mind when it kept telling me to "slow down to reduce heart rate" argh. I'm interested to see what the info is on this too.
 
Me too O_O I think that the heart rate monitor is pretty bad, because sometimes it will say like 90 then it'll be all 240!!! omg!!! You're dying!

And I just feel like that's a good level to exercise at, lol.

It I was going to go in te "weight loss zone" I wouldn't break a sweat at all and would have to do it for hours to feel any sort of tiredness.
 
That chart on the link above actually explains it pretty well. Basically the fat burning zone almost maxes out the rate at which you can burn fat while exercising if you can do it for a long time. The intensity is moderate enough so that most people can keep it up for extended periods of time so that's usually not a problem. However, if you are able, there is nothing stopping you from going beyond that zone, and it will actually burn MORE fat, just maybe not right at that exact time, as that chart proves. The amount of fat you use while exercising may be the same as lower intensity, but since you use more calories, you'll be pulling from fat even after you're done working out. Basically, the harder you work, the more overall calories you burn, given the same amount of time, which is what you want, plus it boosts your metabolism more, which is a double bonus. There is all kinds of information all over the web, just do a simple search on "fat burning zone myth". Here's just one of the first ones that came up, it's pretty easy reading.



Basically, the idea that "whoa, you better slow down, you're above the fat burning zone" is wrong.
 
Last edited:
corndogggy said:
Basically, the idea that "whoa, you better slow down, you're above the fat burning zone" is wrong.
Click to expand...

That is a good way of putting it.


You may burn a higher percentage from fat, but less fat overall when compared to a higher intensity.
 
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