[msmartini]

If this has been asked before, please forgive me and point in the direction of the answer.

Okay, so while I was on the treadmill today I was thinking(scary, I know!)...

What is the difference in walking 90 minutes straight, keeping your heart rate in the maximum fat burning zone vs. breaking it up into 3, 30 minute segments? It seems that I read somewhere that after a cardio workout, our metabolism stays elevated for an hour. If this is correct, would it then be beneficial to split the time into segments?

I'm off to google... just thought I'd ask before I got too caught up in my search.

TIA!

[newbie82]

If you find the answer let me know!! I usually break my workouts into an early morning and then an evening. I don't know if it makes any difference, that's just more convenient for me. I'll try and do some research on it as well

[newbie82]

"If we apply the principles of taking breaks in business to keep productivity higher to our efforts to lose belly fat through cardio exercise, then it may make sense to split up our cardio exercise to lose belly fat faster.

One very effective way to split up cardio exercise and lost belly fat faster is by using intermittent exercise. In a study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, people who broke 30 minutes of cardio exercise into three 10 minute sessions separated by 20 minutes of rest reduces fats in the blood more than people who exercised continuously for 30 minutes. Reducing fat in the blood will help you to lose belly fat.

The key, according to the study, is to make sure that you exercise at a moderate pace – a leisurely walk around the block will not do. You have to perform each 10-minute bout of cardio exercise with the same level of intensity as you would if you were exercising for 30 minutes continuously. So how did the continuous cardio exercise group compare to the intermittent cardio exercise group?" If you want to read the full article it's at... Lose Belly Fat Faster by Splitting-Up Your Cardio Exercise It's really interesting and sheds a bit of light on the subject.

[mysti one]

Umm ok wow I will def go and read it .

[echowits]

The Myth of the Fat-burning Zone

This doesn't quite answer your question, but I was finally told straight out by a very, very knowledgeable person in the health and fitness industry that you are not necessarily burning more fat when you are in the fat-burning zone. You use the energy stored in fat when you are in the "fat burning zone." The key is (and will always be) expending calories. You expend more calories at a higher heart rate then at a lower heart rate (but a factor is how long can you keep the higher heart rate up). I think, then, if you can keep the heart rate higher during the work out time by breaking the work out into smaller portions (resting in between), you will be burning more calories and will be more successful - unless you have a milk shake during the breaks

I found a couple articles that address. Below is an excerpt from one and a link to each:

There are two reasons why the claim about a "fat burning zone" is wrong.

First, it does not matter where the fuel comes from while you are exercising; in the end (ie later in the day) your body will replenish and rebalance your energy stores. So a calorie surplus will always end up increasing your body fat; and a calorie deficit will always end up reducing your body fat. The source of fuel while you are exercising is irrelevant.
Second, what matters is the total amount of calories you burn; not the proportion that come fat. If you exercise at lower intensity, a higher proportion may come from body fat, but this may be a smaller absolute number of calories.
In other words, the fat burning zone is a myth caused by misunderstanding the science.

FAQ: Calories to lose weight

The Myth of the Fat-burning Zone

[msmartini]

THANK YOU LADIES!!!!

It all makes sense and by my own experience this last month I do believe the "fat burning zone" is a myth! I've seen much larger results during interval training where my heart rate will sometimes top out at 97%. Of course you don't want to stay there for long...

I also believe the 10 minutes increments with 20 minute breaks in between.

I WILL read all the articles posted when I have REAL internet again! And then come back with more observations.

Thanks again!!

[alinka72]

Ok. I have some information on Interval Training and there is a whole scientific reasoning behind it. I read it and practiced it, however it did not work for me. I will start again, nonetheless... It is called PACE and it was created by Dr. Al Sears. Google it.