Best for fat burning----walking or running

[Nelson Montana]

You wants studies -- do a search.

The next source of fuel would be....? Muscle.

Just because you have an "empty stomach" doesn't mean you're gylcogen depleted.

For everyone who says they had success with this method, I can find someone who had equal success without it -- which is another way of saying there were other factors involved and not those percieved.

Swimming is only a good way to burn calories if you aren't a good swimmer. Skilled, leisurly swimming will barely burn the calories of a bowl of oatmeal in 30 minutes.

 

[DaMan]

You wants studies -- do a search.

Dude you're the one who made a (somewhat vacuous) statement, not me. The fact that you're Nelson doesn't mean that you're above proving a point that clearly goes against the grain.

I hope the information in your book is proven more rigorously than your posts on this board.

Btw, the next source of fuel would be...? Muscle... AND FAT, DUDE.. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that you don't have the slightest clue what percentage of each in relation to the type of cardio.

Point taken on the "other factors" thing re early AM cardio.

NO point taken on the "bad swimmers burn more calories". A 200lb 10%bf guy will burn n calories running 5 miles. A professional runner at 200lb 10%bf will also burn n calories running that same stretch at the same speed. Or does skill (or even f'in V02-max) somehow relate to metabolism?

 

[gtrcivic]

I got pretty lean by walking at 4.o pace on the lifecycle treadmill at 0 incline post workout cardio. I would walk at that pace for 5 min, do 3-4 min spurts at 6.5 , then go back to 4.0 pace for 10min, do 3-4 min spurts again at 6.5, then back to 4.0 pace for 10min every day when i worked out. Did this for 2 months.

Fat didn't melt off of me, but did get shredded enough to where my friends thought i was on the gear. However, maintained bodyweight, but lost the fat.

 

[blastingthru]

Bros,
Could riding the staionary bike at a relatively low rpm or stair climbing at a low-intesity setting coincide with the above mentioned ideas? Just curious because I would like to add a little variety to this idea of lower intensity workouts.

 

[MUSTGETHUUUUUGE]

You ever see a fat sprinter or a diesel marathon runner.........

 

[Vageta]

If I remember correctly there is no caloric difference between running or walking a specific distance. The biggest factor is the time issue. You may burn the same calories if you either walk or run a mile, however you'll get there a hell of a lot faster while running so therefore you can burn more calories in shorter time.

By the way why do people make cardio so difficult? They act as if there is only one correct way and if they don't follow it then they won't burn fat. I can guarantee you that doing imperfect cardio is still 100x better than not doing any at all. Just get out there and do something to burn calories, what you choose is up to you.

Personally I won't do cardio first thing in the morning. You're already in a catabolic state from an over-night fast, why risk any more muscle loss than necessary? Just do cardio 2-3 hours after a meal so that your stomach is emptied and you won't it for fuel. I tend to eat every 3 hours so this works out good for me.

I promise you that differing cardio times aren't going to make that huge of a difference in the long run. Sure it might help by 1.232343234% but who gives a flying fuck, anything is better than nothing.

 

[DKH]

I'd say that walking 2 miles burns about as many calories are jogging 2 miles -- which isn't many calories at all and wouldn't make much of a difference is fat loss.

The "Target Heart Rate" theory is a myth based on skewed studies. There is no magic heart rate that suddenly burns fat.

The "running on an empty stomach" theory is just something that the magazines made up and people started to belive it and repeat it. Exertion while hungry will not suddenly alter the laws of biophysics and make the body use fat for fuel. You would have to be in ketosis, and when that happens the body also burns up an inordinate amount of muscle.

Nelson, I don't doubt your expertise one moment... You've been in this longer than I've been alive! I do have your book, and have not read every chapter yet. All I know so far based on your replies in this post, and a couple chapters in your book is that you are REALLY good at exposing false myths and beliefs. I think a lot of what you say is true because it's just common sense. The thing is, someone has asked what type of cardio is better, walking or running? You have shown that walking, running, and swimming seem to be really sorry ass forms of cardio. So, what do YOU do for cardio? Personally, I don't see how swimming doesn't burn calories.. there's an athletic center near by with tons of swimmers hanging around.. they would make every guy here looking for a lean physique very jealous. They all have wide shoulders, broad flat defined chest, and ab muscles I've never knew existed. All they do is swim, and lift very very little. I've heard of doing sand bag carries, weighted vests, etc. So, what is most effective?

 

[DKH]

Well, nevermind my previous reply Nelson.. just read your chapter on aerobics.. makes sense. The only thing I'm wondering about is how the average College swimmer gets his physique (not a shape I'm shooting for) I understand that there is plenty of resistance in the water to be similar to using light weights with high reps. It's just that in the end, swimming should theoretically burn away muscle. I know a lot of swimmers are scrawny, others look like underwear models.

 

[DKH]

Well, nevermind my previous reply Nelson.. just read your chapter on aerobics.. makes sense. The only thing I'm wondering about is how the average College swimmer gets his physique (not a shape I'm shooting for) I understand that there is plenty of resistance in the water to be similar to using light weights with high reps. It's just that in the end, swimming should theoretically burn away muscle. I know a lot of swimmers are scrawny, others look like underwear models. Also, are you saying that all you need to achieve a lean, hard, muscular phisyque is to lift, lift, and lift some more along with a diet to fit accordingly?

 

[John G]

Someone already mentioned it but..

It is your <b>Target Heartrate</b> This number varies depending on age,gender,how much you weigh. You want to keep your heart rate in this range because going under provides no benefit and going above turns the workout into anerobic (not sure if I spelt it correctly) rather then a fat burning workout. Usually when you run so fast you'll sometimes notice that your not sweating but that when you slow down or stop is when you begin to sweat more. This is because you were out of your target heart range for burning fat.