[mimi86]

Hey guys, I have a quick question for you!

I don't have a HRM, and I've read some conflicting literature surrounding the myth or fact of there being a 'fat burning zone' where your heart rate must be at or above X% for Y-amount of time in order to actually burn fat.

I ask because I'm getting more into running, and since I'm still just beginning I pepper my run with short walking periods...I want to be sure that I'm not really short-changing myself by doing so!

So for those with HRMs, have you done anything like this? For example: you run for say 5 minutes, then walk for a minute, then run for 5 more--how did it register with your HRM-calculated calorie burn versus running for 10 minutes with no break in-between?

[fitmom]

I heard that the 'fat-burning zone' talk is a lot of bull. I don't wear a HRM but read somewhere that in order for running to be effective you have to do it for more than 20 minutes 3-4x a week. This doesn't exactly answer your question but I've been running for about 6 weeks now and I've gotten good results.

[DietVet]

Re the 'fat burning zone'--At lower levels of intensity, we do burn a greater % of calories from fat. But at higher levels of intensity, we burn more calories total, and therefore a greater number (but lower %) of fat calories. In other words, more intensity is better for calorie burn and cv fitness.

The only exception to this is HIIT, which seems to work some kind of magic involving glycogen and oxygen.