|
Some people believe - as do some well-known high street magazines - that
the best way to burn excess body fat (and lose weight) is to exercise at
a low intensity for an extended period of time. This intensity is often
referred to as the FAT BURNING ZONE.
This belief originates from the fact that exercising at low level intensities burns
a higher percentage of fat than higher intensity exercise. While this is true, it might not guarantee more
calories will be used during low exercise intensities,
Or that lower exercise intensities will equal a greater weight loss.
Basically, the lower the exercise intensity the higher percentage of fat
used. So, if you walk rather than jog, and jog rather than run it appears
you tap into your bodies stored fat cells for energy more readily.
Exercising at 60% of your age predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR)* for
30 minutes may burn 200 calories - depending on your body weight. Of these
200 calories, 50 percent may come from stored fats. Thus a total of 100 calories will
come from fat, the remaining calories will come from carbohydrates and proteins.
However, exercising at 80% of your APMHR* for the same amount of time may burn 300 calories more; a total of 500
calories. But of this figure only 40 percent may come from stored fats.
* APMHR = 220 -age. Therefor if you are 30, your APMHR would be 220 - 30, equalling
190 beats per minute.
The harder you train in the gym the more calories you burn at rest - the
body turns into an efficient calorie burning machine. Yes that's right.
Burn more calories watching TV or movies, play on your PS2 etc.
Additional information
Get fit
Find your target heart rate
|
