Steady State vs. Interval Training

2121

Cathlete
Hi Cathe, I am wondering what burns more calories, steady state cardio or interval training? I have been doing a lot of interval training and don't want to short chabge my workout. Thanks, Melissa
 
From all the research out there, interval training appears to burn more calories because it takes your heart rate to the maximum then brings it back down. Your body also continues to burn more calories after an intense interval style workout.

However, you do not want to do interval training more than 2-3x a week (it puts a lot of strain on your heart). Thus the merits of steady state cardio.

You will read on this forum that everyone is evenly split on both styles of training. The only way to know for sure is to get one of those heart rate monitors. Although not 100% accurate, it gives you a pretty good idea of how many calories you burn for each type of exercise. You'd be surprised at what you find out.

Eileen
 
It is very important to understand that when doing interval training, the big portion of your calorie burn will occur after the workout is over. Don't hook yourself up to a monitor, observe that you burn more during steady state than interval and therefore dismiss interval training all together.

I like both! The more variety and the more you mix it up...suprise the body...the BETTER!

Again, Interval training should be done only a few times a week. If done correctly, that will be plenty!
 

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