Interval Training: How Does it Burn Fat?

Interval Training: How Does it Burn Fat? (The Answer Totally Makes Sense)

Traditionally, we have been told by many so called experts that if we wanted to burn fat then we need to train in the “fat burning zone.” According to these experts, training in the fat burning zone is the only way to burn fat when you exercise. Well, they are right. If you want to burn fat during your workout, do some long boring cardio in the fat burning zone. But, if you want to triple the amount of fat that you burn, do interval training workouts. Some basic physiology tells us how interval training burns fat long after you finish your workout.

High intensity interval training exhausts your supply of immediate carbohydrates that are stored in the muscles. This supply is known as glycogen. The phosphocreatine system and the glycolytic system are dependent upon glycogen stored in the muscles and the liver.

Interval training demands energy so quickly that fat stores are not able to provide energy rapidly enough to keep up with demand. Interval training requires carbohydrate stores, glycogen to be specific, to supply the fast energy that is needed. During your recovery period and the hours after your workout when there is plenty of oxygen present and the demand for energy quickly has slowed down, your body utilizes your fat stores to convert that fat into glycogen for the next time you workout with a high intensity. This process of replacing the fast energy stores that you used up during your interval training workout may take hours to completely restore the glycogen stores.

So, the secret to burning fat is to not burn fat during your workout. Burn for hours afterwards by exhausting your glycogen stores.

interval training