Why Your Cardio is Not Working

09-09-2008

By Ian Piggott

Ok so you’re at the Gym 2-3 times per week and hit every cardio machine they have for at least an hour to an hour & half!

You attend 2 cardio classes a week and are exhausted afterwards! So why do you keep looking at the scales and asking yourself the same question? WHY AM I NOT LOSING WEIGHT?

Simple your cardio workout is wrong for your goals! If your goal is to lose 10-15lbs of unwanted fat and to have a lean sexy new you then long drawn out cardio sessions are not for you. However if you are looking to have the marathon runner physic then keep going.

As you are aware marathon runners are like skin and bone and it’s not a great ascetic look is it? No offence to marathon runners. I think your probably looking for that toned, sexy or ripped yet none anorexic look right? Then its time for a change your cardio NOW!

Step away from the cardio machine and try something else. There are many ways to get the same effective workout in 15-20 mins as in an hour to hour & half slog on a cardio machine. Easy Running, Quick Stepping Box Stepping, Squat Thrusts are to name just a few. The aim in your cardio workout should not be to work long and slow in the (fat burning zone) 60%MHR but to hit your (cardio zone) 80% MHR.

Training in this zone will be more INTENSE which is great for losing fat fast. High Intensity workouts have been proven time and time again to be more effective at burning fat than low intensity workouts. As high intensity workouts raise you metabolism after exercise. Working out like this will allow you to burn more carbs up for energy in your workout leaving the body hungry for energy after exercise.

In the after burn stage of you workout (the body’s calorie burning recovery phase) your metabolism will have increased by up to 20-30% and the body Hungry for energy after exercise. In the after burn stage of you workout (the body’s calorie burning recovery phase) your metabolism will have increased by up to 20-30% and the body will break down stored energy (fat) to use to recover and repair from your workout. Your metabolism can stay elevated like this for up-to 38 hours after exercise.

What this means is you will burn double the amount of calories at rest after your workout than you are now. So when your watching T.V. the next day your still burning calories from your previous nights workout. Next time your heading for the treadmill or bike just think about intensity and increase the pace and level which you are going to workout at, and instead of being board for an hour try working out for 20-30mins to see and feel the difference.

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