Why is interval training such an effective way to lose weight?
There are several advantages to interval training over steady state training. However, I am going to reveal what I feel is the number 1 reason why interval training surpasses steady state.
With steady state exercise you may burn between 50% to 60% fat during your exercise session. During high intensity exercise you may only be burning up to 40% fat. So how does interval training burn more fat?
That is where this gets interesting. Once you stop doing low to moderate intensity steady state exercise, your rate of fat burning slows down to normal levels.
Interval training burns fat long after you stop exercising.
When you stop doing high intensity interval training exercises, your fat burning continues to be elevated. Some studies suggest that it may continue for up to 24 hours after you stopped exercising.
Your body goes in to an oxygen debt when doing high intensity exercise. Replacing this oxygen debt is known as exercise post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). During the time when EPOC is happening, your metabolism increases and burns more fat than usual in conjunction with the increased oxygen consumption.
In the next article I will explain how your body uses different energy systems and how interval training fits in. This will explain how you can burn 3x more fat by burning mostly carbohydrates during your exercise program.
Train Fast! Train Hard!