High Intensity vs Low Internsity exercises.

High Intensity vs Low Intensity

So typically when I’m at the gym, I’ll run into people who I know is trying to lose weight. I see them just kind casually strolling on the treadmill or peddling the bike. If I’m close enough to them, I will try to amp up the exercise but many times, it kind of falls on death ears.

Now on a lot of cardio equipment there will be zones on the module. Fat burning, Heart rate etc etc. Now we all have read doing low intensity burns fat…that is right. What is the misunderstood is that LONG TERM low intensity exercise burn weight.  Your body preferred choice of energy are carbs (carbohydrates) so initially that is what is being used. Now typically you would have to be doing low intensity cardio for maybe an hour half to two hours. It depends on the person though. Now after your body has exhausted the immediate carbs, it will switch gears to use fat.  The downside is…that Is when we all quit. The human body metabolizes fat in a different and slower way than carbs. So while your body is ‘switching gears’ for that 2-4 minute interval…you will feel like you are dying. Why? You are essentially getting no energy. After that 4 minute interval, you will feel fine and you’re body is metabolizing fat…but I want to ask…how long are you going to be doing cardio after 2 hours? Not much longer if you’re the average person.

This is why HIGH INTESITY cardio is in my opinion more effective. In the end how to lose (or maintain) weight is to USE more calories than you are INTAKING (or equal in and out). If you can 600 calories today, consume about 1500 all day you are doing excellent because depending on your size, you’re using more calories just to stay alive. Doing high intensity exercise allows you to burn up more calories in a short amount of time. If you’re on a low carb diet this is also another way to lose weight since you’ll be using a large portion of your immediate carb available in a short amount of time.

So next time, just get on that treadmill for 20 minutes but GIVE IT YOUR ALL. Do intervals. It’s been said you exert more calories then as well. Meaning gives it your all for about 120 sec with the resistance cranked up…then reduce the speed and do a light jog (or causal brisk) for about 90 seconds. For 20 minutes, time will feel like it’s going fast since there are many goals and you’ll be out the gym in no time while being efficient!

XOXO,
Vainessa

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