The Twilight Zone of fat burning

By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

Q: The cardiovascular machines at my gym display a chart that shows where your heart rate should range according to your goals. There is a range called the “fat-burning zone” that indicates that keeping my heart rate within this zone burns fat. How beneficial is this really?

A: The notion of a “fat-burning zone” comes from earlier research that suggested that working out at a slow and but steady pace keeps your heart rate within a certain percentage and forces your body to use fat as its source of energy. With many exercisers seeking to decrease body fat, the idea of a fat-burning zone was very appealing.

However, more recent research has discovered that the answer lies not in burning fat, but rather in burning calories. It is now known that body-fat reduction takes place when there is more energy being burned than is consumed.

This by no means should encourage someone wanting to lose body fat to attempt to burn as many calories as possible during every workout. Developing a balanced cardiovascular program that takes into account your level of fitness, experience and frequency of exercise is important.

If you are an exercise beginner, pace yourself. You can’t start at level 12 on the treadmill or incline bike in an effort to burn more calories. Set an achievable goal at an achievable intensity to allow your body to adapt.

A more advanced exerciser may want to try interval training and cross training, since both increase calorie expenditure.

Finally, the best way to lose body fat is to combine a consistent and balanced cardiovascular workout with a total-body strength-training routine and proper nutrition.

Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. If you have a fitness or training question, e-mail Andrea at letters.kfws@hearstsc.com

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