2 Truths And A Lie: How To Get Into the Fat-Burning Zone

Getting that body fat percentage as close to the single-digit levels of David Beckham would be the ultimate dream come true for many, so what is the best way to burn fat?

In this post we look at the concept of the fat-burning zone; that heart rate sweet spot that will have your body efficiently burning as many calories from fat as possible.

There are formulas, graphs, and a plethora of fitness equipment dedicated to helping you find your fat-burning zone and altering your training intensity levels to keep you burning as much fat as possible.

Start by working out your max heart rate (MHR = 220 – your age) and then determine your fat-burning range, which is 60% to 70% of your MHR. You’ll then need to get yourself a decent heart rate monitor to keep yourself training in the fat-burning zone.

Truth #1.

The fat-burning zone burns more calories

Sure, exercising in any form burns calories. Working out in the fat-burning zone means working at lower intensities for longer periods. If you’re working out for a long time you will inevitably use more calories.

Kinda straightforward.

Truth #2.

It burns more calories from fat

Technically yes. Lower-intensity aerobic exercise burns a greater percentage of fat than high intensity training. The body may burn 50% of the calories used at lower intensities from fat, while only burning 35% from fat at higher intensities.

HOWEVER! The key word here is percentage. Working out at higher intensities burns way more calories in total – and more calories from fat over all – than working out at lower intensities.

So it’s kinda true, but also not really.

Lie!

Aerobic training raises your metabolism.

But look at marathon runners! They have incredibly fast metablisms! Well no, they just burn a shit tonne of calories … because they run fucking marathons!!!

“Medifast puts the burn rate at about 100 calories per a mile. That adds up to a whopping 2,600 calories for the entire race.”

– The Active Times

So when they stop running marathons, they stop buring an extra 2,600 calories a day.

Muscle is the only tissue that burns body fat, so if your muscle tone is low then you won’t be burning that many calories when you’re at rest. Therefore your metabolism will be low.

Get motivated and get into the fat-burning zone

Need a little extra motivation to get into the fat-burning zone, try working with a gay personal trainer. They can help plan your workouts and nutrition and make sure you get the most out of your time in the gym. Fill in your details below or check out our gay personal trainers in London page.