Heart Rate Monitor Question

[goldenpath]

In your opinion what was the better workout:

Workout #1

Duration: 37 min.
Calories: 314
Body Fat: 50%
Time in Zone: 12.16

Workout #2

Duration: 48 min.
Calories: 492
Body Fat: 35%
Time in Zone: 10

I am a bit confused what I should be looking at to improve my workouts. The Calories burned in the second workout are much more BUT the fat % is much more in the first workout. How could that be and why? Also how important is it to stay in your zone? The first workout I was up and down but the second workout I was mostly above my zone. Is this good or bad?

Thank you for any insight you may give me as to how to get the most out of my workouts.

 

[materialsgirl]

I could go into a really long explanation.... but nobody wants that. So I'll keep it short.

The basic premise at work here is that your body burns a greater PERCENTAGE of fat calories when your heart rate is lower. However, if you do the math, you'll see that with workout 1, you burned 157 calories of fat, and with workout 2, you burned 172 calories of fat. So even though you burned a higher PERCENTAGE of fat with the first workout, you still burned more fat calories overall with the 2nd workout.

As for which workout is better... well... no one can really answer that question. It depends on your goals, and honestly, I think the better workout is probably whichever one you enjoyed the most - because it means you'll keep doing it. The whole "target zone" thing has been blown way out of proportion, and for me, when I work out in my so-called "zone", I feel like I'm hardly breaking a sweat. I can't imagine it's really helping my heart become stronger. I think the bottom line is.... Burn calories, and build muscle, (and eat healthfully) and you will see results.

Okay, and apparently I lied when I said I'd keep it short. Sorry about that...

 

[goldenpath]

Emily,

Thank you so much for explaining this to me. I understand now. I am really not a mathematician and would never have thought of doing the math. Thanks again!

I also feel like you, in my target zone- I’m hardly breaking a sweat and it feels really easy. I feel the most challenge is when my heart rate is above my target zone.

Thanks again for giving me some understanding, I will focus on burning calories, building muscle and eating healthfully – most of the time. I do love my chocolate!!!

I really love long explanations – the more I read, the more I understand!!

Debbie