Cardio: high intensity vs. low intensity?

[supasaiyan99]

TweetI read a post a few weeks ago saying low intensity was better for burning fat than high intesnity. So I tried doing low intensity cardio this past week. Each day that I did the fat burning program on the elliptical machine at my gym I only burned between 650 to 700 calories after doign it for 1hr with an average pulse of 127 bpm. I barely broke a sweat. It didn't even feel as if I was working out. The week before that, I was doing high intensity cardio on the elliptical for 1hr. My pulse was around 153 bpm and I was burning between 900 and 930 calories during each session. I was sweating so much I had to keep wipping my face every 2 minutes. I felt like I actually did a workout unlike the low intensity.

Well my confusion is, how can low intensity burn more fat if I'm not even sweating when I do it?

[jazzjackrabbit]

TweetLow intensity burns less calories thus less fat. BUT it burns less muscle too!
High intensity burn more calories but the ratio fat burned/muscle break down is not as good.
Low intensity is better if you want to lose weight and keep your hard earn muscles. High intensity is better if you want to stay fit. Choose the one according to your goal...

[supasaiyan99]

TweetCool. Thanks for the input! I guess I'll do high intensity. I'm 5'8" 195lbs with about 18% fat. I'd like to get my fat down to 10% before starting another cycle in late January or early February.

[Skarhead]

TweetI do hi intensity cardio with no muscle loss... YOu just have to implement it right.... You should probably mix it up and do both

[Shock]

TweetI think people are getting the wrong picture with the high-intensity vs. low-intensity issue. Yes, there is a greater percentage of FAT being utilized when compared to CHO during low intensity. However, when exercising at high intensity when you compare total fat being burned, it will most likely be higher than low-intensity. IMO, if you vary between the two effectivly throughout the week, you shouldn't have much concern with muscle loss. But whenever you put yourself in a negative energy balance from either diet or exercise, part of the weight loss will result in muscle loss.

[Skarhead]

Tweet

I think people are getting the wrong picture with the high-intensity vs. low-intensity issue. Yes, there is a greater percentage of FAT being utilized when compared to CHO during low intensity. However, when exercising at high intensity when you compare total fat being burned, it will most likely be higher than low-intensity. IMO, if you vary between the two effectivly throughout the week, you shouldn't have much concern with muscle loss. But whenever you put yourself in a negative energy balance from either diet or exercise, part of the weight loss will result in muscle loss.

agree 100%

[jazzjackrabbit]

Tweet

agree 100%

stop beeing arrogant
(private joke) lol

[Skarhead]

Tweetgood old jack

[supasaiyan99]

TweetThanks for the input guys! I tried hitting you guys up with rep points but the only person I was allowed to give to was Shock!

[jazzjackrabbit]

Tweet

Thanks for the input guys! I tried hitting you guys up with rep points but the only person I was allowed to give to was Shock!

I have to spread reputation too...