"Fat Burning Zone" vs. "Edurance Zone"

[ermo18]

I know this is an age-old debate, but I'd like to hear personal experiences.

I know there are different levels of cardio. I have read several articles of incorporating all kinds (i.e. HIIT, long sustained, etc.). I'm competing in my first figure comp. in November. The nutritionist I saw put me on a 6x/wk cardio program. She stated they were all to be 45 mins-sustained, and mentioned getting a HR monitor to stay in the "zone". I've been following her recomendation for the past 4 days and I have to say, it's almost too easy. I don't feel like I'm working that hard. I work up a sweat, but don't feel I'm pushing myself. Honestly, before, I never would pay attention to the HR and zones (maybe that's why I hit a plateau), but I was busting my butt. I don't plan on going against her recommendation, but just want to hear what kind of results other have had doing long-sustained cardio.

[Helene]

Originally Posted by ermo18

I know this is an age-old debate, but I'd like to hear personal experiences.

I know there are different levels of cardio. I have read several articles of incorporating all kinds (i.e. HIIT, long sustained, etc.). I'm competing in my first figure comp. in November. The nutritionist I saw put me on a 6x/wk cardio program. She stated they were all to be 45 mins-sustained, and mentioned getting a HR monitor to stay in the "zone". I've been following her recomendation for the past 4 days and I have to say, it's almost too easy. I don't feel like I'm working that hard. I work up a sweat, but don't feel I'm pushing myself. Honestly, before, I never would pay attention to the HR and zones (maybe that's why I hit a plateau), but I was busting my butt. I don't plan on going against her recommendation, but just want to hear what kind of results other have had doing long-sustained cardio.

If she's a nutritionist, why is she giving you a workout plan?
I think 6 weeks of cardio is alot to start...Usually you start with 3, then 4, then 5, the twice a day for 1 days etc...you will have nowhere to go soon..just suggestions..

I also think that your nutritionist may believe in the myth of the "fat burning zone" tha's may burn more fat in that session but less calories and doesn't create an EPOC.

I think you should vary your cardio between long and short sessions and not start too fast..maybe you should talk to someone else...

[ermo18]

I trust her and her opinion. She works along side a very well known nutritionist, one that's helped Lee Labrada, Craig Titus, Kim Zmeskal (gymnast), etc. They also helped my dad when he competed for 3 years.

I was already doing 4-5 days a week (2 HIIT, and the rest sustained-but still busting my butt), but she pushed me to the next level. Like I said, I'm not going to "disown" her, just asking if anyone saw results from working in the "fat burning" zone.

[kariev34]

are your goals to lose weight? I think what you were doing before, some HITT and some longer less intense sessions are the way to go personally. this way you keep yourself from getting bored and in the HITT sessions you are challenging yourself. You will see results with the longer sessions if you aren't consuming more cals than you are buring but i found i saw quicker results and spent a lot less time in the gym when i did high intensity cardio. i still do longer boughts when i feel like it but just like weight training its good to mix up the intensity and do different kinds of cardio to see results. talk to her about it and mabe you both can find a middle ground. you don't have to argue or go totally against what she is saying but if you feel like you aren't being challenged enough than i think you need to listen to yourself and do some cardio session where you bust your a**.

[ohtm27]

I am getting my certification in personal training. Like the above mentioned a nutrionalist should not be giving advice on personal training and vice versa. I have read in my study books, both ways are efficient. 220 max heart beats -age= max heart rate x's 60% and x's 70% gets your heart rate that you must stay in between at least 40 min this is your heart rate zone. If you do this you need to constantly monitor your heart rate and make sure it does not go above or below the zone.

Now I have tried this, and it does work however it seems to me it just maintains itself. If you need to lean up than I would suggest the interval training which burns more calories. I would have to agree the person that stated cardio you build up days and lengths this would ensure you do not hit a platue. You do not want to start with 6 days a week at 45 min. otherwise you have to keep upping. Duration, intensity, keep your minutes the same keep adding intensity until you platue then add more minutes.

I believe the above is more affective for me. You get a greater amount of calories burned, than top it off w/weight training. Add in a couple days of extra cardio here and there for fast results.

Hope this helps

[MDC]

If you want to have a better way to tell how hard you're working, check how you're breathing. If you're breathing hard, you're working hard. If you're breathing normally, you are not working much at all. Then there's in between.

I know the heartbeat formula didn't mean a thing to me, and felt stupid when trying to maintain the "fat burning zone" while breathing normally.

[I.Natic]

My opinion.

My trainer does both. Gives advice on nutrition and personal training. He has competed and trains both men and women to compete as well. His success is excellent. He spent many years also working with Labrada and Co.

His trainees always place or win.
Some people are qualified to do both, but not always.

[ohtm27]

I believe that if you switch the cardio every 2-3 months from the zone to interval training you will never platue with your cardio. You have to make sure you are using all different equipment too. Keep changing it up and results will happen.