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The Fat Max Zone
Exercise Intensity Versus Fat Burning
Michael Stefano
In, a recent study conducted in England, at the School of
Sport and Exericise at Birmingham University, scientists
have identified the Fat Max Zone. Using 25 moderately
trained individuals, in both graded and constant exercise
programs, researchers have concluded that exercising too
intensely will cause fat burning to markedly drop.
Fat oxidation, or fat burning, is something the human body
does quite naturally. Stored body fat, along with the
carbohydrates we consume, become our main source of fuel,
or energy. Fortunately, the human body is very good at
burning fat over a large range of exercise intensities.
However, if your train too intensley, sugar wil become
your main source of energy, not fat.
So what's the right intensity to activate all this fat burning?
Scientists involved in the study used maximal oxygen
consumption, or VO2 Max to dertermine exercise intensity.
VO2 Max is a way of expressing how fit you are by gauging
how much oxygen your body can use at the cellular level.
For the best aerobic, or fat burning workout, the traditional,
recommended range is from 50 to 85 percent of VO2 Max,
when using the heart rate reserve formula found below. This
is not to be confused with a simple percentage of your maximum heart rate.
Researchers involved in this Birmingham study found that
the Fat Max Zone (where the most fat was burned) was
actually reached at 55 to 72 percent of VO2 Max. This represents
a substantially narrower range, especially on the high end
(less a whopping 13 percent), than what was previously accepted.
Possibly an even more important finding --at levels above 89
percent fat burning all but ceased.
THE FAT MAX ZONE
(as measured by the heart rate reserve formula)
1. Calculate estimated maximum heart rate (MHR)
using the following formula:
220 minus age = MHR
Estimated MHR for an average 30 year-old would be:
220-30 = 190
2. Next, determine resting heart rate (RHR):
Take your pusle for 1 minute white at TOTAL rest:
(Typical RHR = 70)
Subtract RHR from MHR:
190 - 70 = 120
3. Calculate percentages:
55% of 120: = 66
72% of 120: = 86
4. Add RHR (70) back into to both numbers:
66 + 70 = 136
86 + 70 = 156
The Fat Max Zone for an average 30-year-old, would between
136 and 156 beats per minute. Grab a pencil and paper and calculate
your own Fat Max Zone.
Without the need of a trainer, and by using the above formula,
you can make sure your aerobic regimen is working towards
increasing V02 Max (and your ability to burn fat), while at the
same time taking place in the Fat Max Zone.
Aerobic exercise needs to be repeated about 3 or 4 times per
week, for a period of at least 15 to 20 minutes to achieve
optimum results. Be sure to pay attention to how you feel,
as well as how you're breathing, during exercise.
As a general rule, you shouldn't feel overly fatigued or winded
during aerobic exercise, and you should be able to speak at least
three words (or syllables) without taking an in-breath.
About the Author
Michael Stefano is a captain on the New York City Fire Department,
as well as author of The Firefighter's Workout Book, The 30-minute-a-day,
Train-for-life Program for Men and Women. He is also managing editor, and
writer of many articles on health and fitness at www.firefightersworkout.com,
(where you can sign up for a FREE Train For Life Newsletter).
Michael Stefano's articles have appeared on such internet giants as
America On Line, Yahoo!, and eDiets.com
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