?? about interval training

[twosquared]

Cathe and others,

I understand that interval training is supposed to get your heartrate up really high for a short period to help with endurance.
Are these types of cardio workouts also good for fat loss??

I'm just starting to understand "target heart rate training" and now this throws a new twist to things.

Thanks

 

[fab40]

Hi!
I would say interval training is the best for fat loss. It will really kick up your metabolism. I am no expert, just my opinion and experience with interval training.

 

[Kathy02]

Ok, I am going to take a shot at explaining why interval training is the best for fat loss. The way that helped me understand it best was to look at my body like a cars engine. Now I realise with cars you don't want them to burn more fuel, but with our bodies we want them to. But, have you ever noticed with a car if you are always stopping and going, or slowing down and then speeding back up you burn more fuel? Well it kind of works the same way with our bodies. Our calories being our fuel to burn. When you push your body to speed up, or work harder than you have been your body will reach for more fuel to burn, and then you slow down, to get your heart rate back to a comfortable pace. And then you speed back up, so once again your body is reaching for fuel and it takes more fuel to speed up than it does to remain at a constant state.
I hope that this makes sence. It makes sence in my mind, but when I write it down it might not.

Kathy

 

[roxy28]

Thanks for that explaination. I wodered that also.

 

[twosquared]

That was a wonderful explanation. - Thank you!!!

 

[Kathy02]

Oh good, I'm glad that I explained it without complicating it too much! You are very welcome!

Kathy

 

[rcbinmichigan]

Anaerobic training produces lactic acid--that burny feeling, that can make you stop when you're really pushing yourself. Lactic acid is a byproduct of your muscle cells metabolizing fuel for energy; while you're working out, the body shunts most of it to the liver for temporary storage. Once you're done exercising, and not demanding much of the body, it will then metabolize the stored lactic acid, changing it into molecules your body can use. This takes calories to do, so for many hours after an anaerobic (interval)workout, your body is burning more calories than it does after a steady-state workout.

So interval training is a tremendous tool to use for a fat-loss goal.

Hope that helps!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Devoted to Fitness! In a nutshell interval training is a fun and great way to lose fat (without losing muscle in the process) while increasing your overall physical condition.

Be sure to post in the Open Discussion forum for more feedback