How to Choose Between Low and High Intensity Cardio to Maximize Weight Loss
We all know cardio exercise will help us burn fat, but which cardio exercise is the most effective and will burn the most fat, that is the main question I present to you. At first, it was discovered that high intensity exercise was burning glycogen or the carbohydrates stored in our body, while the low intensity exercises burned fat deposits. However, as you can see by the failed diets and exercise routines, that is not completely true.
Of course, the easiest way to keep your intensity within target is to use a heart rate monitors like the popular watch Polar FT60. This unit has a variety of body measurements and three target zones that will ensure you maximize every one of your workouts.
The problem is the low amount of calories burned. While running might be a high intensity exercise and will start burning calories from our glycogen deposits, it will also burn a good amount of fat calories. Additionally, it will prevent the carbohydrates from our food from converting into fat and instead those will be stored as glycogen to help the depletion process.
High intensity cardio will increase your metabolism as well, even after your workout is completed. Your body will keep burning fat deposits hours after you are long gone from the gym. This effect is not as remarkable if you decide to exercise with low intensity workouts exclusively. You will be surprised with the amount of calories burned while exercising or right after a high intensity workout in contrast with a low intensity workout.
The easiest way to break into high intensity workouts is to alternate these with your low intensity training already in place. For example, try walking for 15 minutes and running for the next 15 minutes. In the beginning it will be difficult to keep the pace, so you are allowed to cheat a little, instead of running right away, you can try some light jogging or walk briskly until your fitness level improves.
If you are new to cardio, go ahead and try it. Besides helping you lose some extra pounds, cardio exercises will help you raise your energy levels.
February 7, 2012 at 3:22 pm Comments (0)