The concepts of target heart rate and “fat burning zone” are subjects my clients often ask about, and I recently came across an interesting article that explains some of the science and strategies behind fat loss.
As Jason Karp explains in How to Burn Fat Faster & More Efficiently, our bodies use both fat and carbohydrates for energy during exercise. Low-intensity exercises like walking use more fat for energy, while higher-intensity activities draw more heavily upon carbs for energy. However, the assumption that low-intensity exercise constitutes a better “fat-burning zone” is incorrect. At a higher level of intensity, Karp explains, “the rate of caloric expenditure and the total number of calories expended are much greater than they are when exercising at a lower intensity, so the total amount of fat used is also greater.”
Karp recommends two strategies for maximizing fat loss: go hard with interval training and go very long with runs and bike rides. To learn more, take a look at the rest of the article: How to Burn Fat Faster & More Efficiently.
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