Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

I do 40minutes of cardio approximately 5x a week.

I met with the manager of my gym for an assessment and she said I was working out too hard, that my heart rate was above my fat burning zone.

So I googled this to find out more information and there seem to be some hardcore believers in it and alot of skeptics.

My scale hasn't budged in awhile and Im wondering if it's worth toning down my workouts to be in the fat burning zone?

I just feel like i dont get a good enough workout when Im in that zone and it's a waste of my time.

Does anyone have any thoughts/personal experiences/etc. with changing up your cardio routine to make sure you are in your fat burning zone? Looking for pros and cons.

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

I never really have paid much attention to this. However, it does sound like that your body is used to this routine and maybe just switching up your exercise, duration and/or intensity may help.

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

Thanks Azoodie

Anyone else have any input?

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

I had a trainer tell me that once too. That the speed I was doing was too fast. But I never really listened, b/c if I did cardio within that range (there was also a guide on the treadmill), I felt like I wasnt going fast enough. Maybe thats why I never lost, but maintained.

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

I don't pay much attention to it - I don't even workout that hard anymore, I walk, briskly, for about an hour and a half 5 days a week, and I've had amazing results, more so than when I used to do 30 minute power workouts.

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?

I only spin and run for cardio so I don't really know my workout by heart rate. I do like to push myself so I spin faster and harder or run faster and more efficiently.

I will say though, that my old running coach used to tell us that if you run in your fat burning zone...as hard as it is....you will get stronger faster and better muscle training. He told us to do this once a week. If I was to do this sort of this and monitor it I would probably end up working out longer so it wouldnt make much of a difference.

Message edited 8/6/2008 12:32:42 PM.

Re: Do you try to workout in your "fat burning zone" heart rate range?