Thread: Fat burn or cardio - which is really better?

I am not sure I understand your question? After 20 minutes of high intensity exercise you go into the fatburn stage, probally quicker than that on LC, and usally stay in it for about another 20-25 minutes but after that you'll start eating muscle, unless you get good amounts of protein, then you could probally shoot for an hour. But no more than that.

Sheyla, I'm confused about what you are calling "fat burn" too. Are you referring to a machine setting?

Just my opinion, but for maximum 'fat burn', I'd add some resistance training (nautilus machines or free weights) after I was finished with my cardio. I've really noticed a difference in pictures of me from last March to this March, which I attribute to Atkins, of course, and weight training. Funny thing is, the pounds have not moved much at all for SEVERAL months, but I lost 2 jeans sizes while not losing any pounds.

Resistance training

Hi Sheyla, i understand what your saying here, and your correct about losing more fat at a lower rate. The higher rate is purely for health and heart. Cardio does also lower your resting heart rate, which also lowers your fat burn at rest. I know it sounds weird, but too much exercise will slow weight loss as well as too little exercise. After ive learned this, i only do 2 days of cardio a week and the days i do strength training i only do my warm up and cool down.

Also keep in mind that with lc'ing, you dont need as much to burn the extra fat, being in lypolisis youre already in fat burn when you start, so try to not get too intense. I too have a lower resting heart rate(59) and i find trying to be at my target takes a lot of intensity, a lot of times i only get in my zone for about 10 mins because of the intensity it takes to get there.

I hope this helps some. Im not good with posting links, but there is an excellent article here in the exercise section.