If you were given the option of a high-intensity workout or a fat-burning workout, which one would you choose?

If you’re like most people, it’s a no-brainer. A high-intensity workout sounds grueling and unrelenting; a fat-burning workout conjures up images of the sculpted, svelte results we long to achieve.

Of course we want to work out in our fat-burning zone!

The problem?

The fat-burning zone is as legit as the Twilight Zone.

And yet, there persists a nagging misconception that slow, steady-state aerobics leads to fat loss. This myth has spread far and wide in the exercise world. Some cardio equipment even features fat-burning settings, essentially encouraging us to ratchet down our pace with the empty promise that doing so will melt fat from our frame.

The truth is that you don’t burn a greater amount of fat exercising at a lower intensity.

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You burn a greater percentage of fat exercising at a lower intensity. Fun fact…you actually burn the greatest percentage of your calories from fat during sleep.

However, with the more challenging workout, you’re burning far more total calories — and more fat calories overall.

And with the HR Zone 3 (70% – 80%) workout?  It does have an important place in building overall fitness, but in the context of “fat-burning” it has been mislabeled.  

The takeaway: Forget you ever heard the term “fat-burning zone.” Banish it from your vocabulary.

To maximize your fat loss, have a couple of your weekly workouts fall in the category of high intensity.  Then support those all out workouts with smartly timed active recovery and base building days. You’ll become stronger and more capable. You’ll sleep better, feel less stressed, have a lower resting heart rate and a higher energy level.

When you focus on improving your performance, everything else falls into place—and, ultimately, off your waist.

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