Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Lose Weight » Is Training in the "Fat-Burning Zone" the Best Way to Lose Weight? – Men’s health UK

Keeping your heart rate in the fabled fat-burning zone is believed by many to accelerate weight loss. But do proponents have their fingers on the pulse? We put the question to leading exercise physiologist Tom Cowan.

Whether pacing around the office or running on a treadmill, contracting your muscles requires energy, he explains. This energy is derived from a mixture of stored fat and carbohydrate, which is stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen.

When you exercise at lower intensities, fat is your predominant fuel source. Then, as the intensity of the work youre doing ramps up, a greater proportion of this energy comes from carbs, explains Cowan. The fat-burning zone is a point around 60-65% of your max at which your body is oxidising the biggest amount of fat possible. That's why you might have heard some people saying (misleadingly) that high-intensity training isn't good for fat loss.

The "fat-burning zone" is a point at 60-65% of your max HR, when fat oxidation is maximised

Heres the rub: that doesnt mean its the best way to get leaner. Weight loss is predominantly determined by calorie balance regardless of in what form those calories are stored, he says. Burning glycogen isnt inherently inferior to burning fat.

The benefit of training at lower intensities ie in the fat-burning zone is that you can sustain that effort for longer, and recover more quickly. High-intensity training triggers a bigger afterburn raising your metabolic rate but it's tougher to recover from. For best results, you need to vary your training intensity, working in multiple heart-rate zones, says Cowan. That way, you can easily tap into either energy source, whenever you need it.

Sign up to the Men's Health newsletter and kickstart your home body plan. Make positive steps to become healthier and mentally strong with all the best fitness, muscle-building and nutrition advice delivered to your inbox.

SIGN UP

For effective home workouts, uplifting stories, easy recipes and advice you can trust, subscribe to Men's Health UK today.

SUBSCRIBE

Go here to see the original:
Is Training in the "Fat-Burning Zone" the Best Way to Lose Weight? - Men's health UK

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Lose Weight » Is Training in the "Fat-Burning Zone" the Best Way to Lose Weight? – Men’s health UK