Is HIIT cardio really that much better than regular?

[fyxgel]

Okay, right now I do cardio at a good hard pace, so that at the end of 30 minutes i am tired.

if I were doing HIIT cardio, would it really be that much better? like If I were to alternate my intensity intervals?
If so what would be a good alternation system to use if, say I was on an eliptical trainer?
right now I currently do level 15 (outta 20) for 30 minutes.

 

[~SC~]

In all actuality, (this is for purposes of actual LIPOLYSIS/FAT BURNING), a 65-75% of MHR cardio session employed for a duration of 40-45 mins is FAR BETTER than a 20-30 min HIIT session.

Reason being, you don't begin to used stored fat for energy until approx 20 mins. So, having said that, doing HIIT for 20 mins does nothing for burning actual fat stores, and even if you did 30 mins of HIIT, your heart-rate is well over the percentage needed to mobilize fat stores and not use solely muscle glycogen, so you aren't burning stored bodyfat anyhow.

If you are just concerned w/buring "calories" for the sake of doing so, or you are doing HIIT for conditioning for a sport, then go for it. But if your goal is pure fat loss and muscle preservation, I'd advise against HIIT most definitely. You also get the elevated metabolism from the 65-75% for 40-45 mins, that is not just from HIIT cardio. Unless you are doing this for a sport or just to burn calories, the majority of those who do the HIIT stuff when trying to cut are just too damn lazy to employ the correct kind of lipolysis cardio, so they make up all kinds of excuses for why HIIT is better. Well, it's proven science, and for fat loss, it's not.

~SC~
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[Daisy_Girl]

But if you have been doing the same amount of cardio, for the same duration, same machine....blah blah blah.....for a LONG time....and your body has adapted to it, would changing things up by doing HIIT for awhile "jumpstart" one's metabolism?

Also, there is a point when cardio becomes catabolic (and will start to slow your metabolism). I'm thinking specifically about the traditional "cardio bunnies" or females that starve themselves all day and do hours upon hours of cardio a week. SO for them, HIIT might be a good idea.

While I am a big fan of HIIT, it is LESS boring than steady state cardio, plus is fun to do (well, sometimes)....honestly I think my body responds better (fat loss, weight maintenance/loss) to intense steady-state cardio. Specifically, running.

 

[SoreArms]

HIIT does not really burn fat during the actual exercise but rather gets your metabolism going through out the day. Moderate paced cardio only burns fat during the actual exercise and as SC stated ,you wont touch fat stores until 15-20 mins into the session. Studies have shown that HIIT burns more fat through out the span of the day compared to the amount of fat burned by moderate paced cardio.

I'd suggest that you not do HIIT on an empty stomach though as you are are using blood/glucose and glycogen when doing high paced cardio and if you're on an empty stomach, glycogen levels are low, your body will most likely break down muscle to use as energy source.

 

[bran987]

HIIT does not really burn fat during the actual exercise but rather gets your metabolism going through out the day. Moderate paced cardio only burns fat during the actual exercise and as SC stated ,you wont touch fat stores until 15-20 mins into the session. Studies have shown that HIIT burns more fat through out the span of the day compared to the amount of fat burned by moderate paced cardio.

I'd suggest that you not do HIIT on an empty stomach though as you are are using blood/glucose and glycogen when doing high paced cardio and if you're on an empty stomach, glycogen levels are low, your body will most likely break down muscle to use as energy source.

I read a 40 page thread on another board that came to this same conclusion.

 

[KWKSLVR]

Well, the beauty of AM cardio is that it is PERFECT for burning fat. You have nothing in your stomach and doing a 45 minute session will do nothing but BURN FAT. If you get into running and you find yourself going to hard for to long and you are not properly fueled, congrats, you've just spent a good amount of time catabolic. It absolutely KILLS me to see so many people running because they think it is good for fat lose. Do it to train, build endurance, whatever but do NOT do it on an empty stomach or as a replacement for “sissy” or “lazy” cardio because you think it’s “better”.

 

[mcbruiser]

good information.

there is a thread in the anabolic forum about this topic, with many viewpoints on this subject- http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191484

 

[leanchic]

i have school in the morning, so i either ride my bike, or powerwalk in teh monring before brkfast.....is that good????? sometimes i skip after my bike ride or run, cause it fun, i alwasy make sure i eat an 1hour after i wake up....