Thread: Cardio - do you believe in target heart rate?

they're probly both good for different reasons

I like HR training, though havn't giving HIIT a good run yet. My gut instinct tells me endurance is nice to have under your belt. Working out faster may not be specifically 'more' effective at fat loss, but I would think you would get the same benifits plus extra. Isn't HIIT sessions more about kickstarting your metabolism than burning of calories, while a nice easy long session of cardio takes a chunk (deficet) of your calorie totals?

With weights I keep it at 130
when I run I take it up to 180 max

I just do cardio until it feels like I'm about to pass out, and I can do it anymore. Then I take a quick break and start at it again. I've never monitored heart rate before.

well, the two distinct lines you are reffering to aren't really that distinct. They are just two different ways of training...one is aerobic and one is anerobic. They work different energy pathways.

I usually do low intensity (In terms of the weight moved) circuit training instead of traditional cardio. This is somewhat like interval training because I will blow throw a circuit, rest a minute, repeat. I don't monitor my heartrate because I'm not looking to achieve an exact level of cardiovascular conditioning. I just want to do something so that I don't totally neglect that area of fitness.

I feel like both methods have their applications for an exercise routine. It simply depends on what your goals are.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I feel like both methods have their applications for an exercise routine. It simply depends on what your goals are.

which 1 would u say has a better fat loss rate? I read that HIIT if u do it early in the morning u can burn more muscle than fat (thats for those that like to do cardio on an empty stomach)

Originally Posted by WannaBHB

which 1 would u say has a better fat loss rate? I read that HIIT if u do it early in the morning u can burn more muscle than fat (thats for those that like to do cardio on an empty stomach)

I would say the one that "has a better fat loss rate" is the one that is paired with a sound diet. It's all about creating a negative energy balance. Either one will work, but you have to be eating in a caloric deficit. In fact, you don't even have to do cardio to cut fat; it just helps you in achieving that negative energy balance.

I would choose my cardio based on the energy system that I wish to train. Since I never really have a need to exert myself for an extended period of time outside of the exercise that I do, I see no reason to perform lower intensity aerobic activitites for a longer duration. I do cardio for the health benefits, active recovery, and to promote a greater work capacity. If I want to lose fat, then I change my diet. Even so, I do perform the occasional 30 minute jog just to keep things interesting. If it's a nice day outside, then I love a nice jog.

Everyone overthinks fat loss. Unless you are try to reach competition body fat levels, you aren't going to have to get into all this hoopla. Just stop eating like shit and exercise. Are you involved in an athletic endeavor that requires primarily aerobic or anaerobic conditinoing? Is it a combination of both? Do cardio based on this. If you are training for general health, then do whatever the Hell floats your boat and you will perform with consistency.

Originally Posted by WannaBHB

which 1 would u say has a better fat loss rate? I read that HIIT if u do it early in the morning u can burn more muscle than fat (thats for those that like to do cardio on an empty stomach)

HIIT should be treated the same as a training session. you wouldn't train on empty would you?

with that said...i don't subscribe to the 'target heart rate' crap.

I go about as high as 180, but can't monitor at the speeds I do (the tread wont let me) so I only see it as I'm coming down which shows 175ish.

HIIT is a form of target heart rate training, it's just that the target heart rate is much higher and fluctuates. Heart rate is a perfectly valid way to measure workload. I programmed my heart rate monitor whenever I did HIIT.

Having said that, steady state cardio that is not at your limit is a waste of time IMO.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

HIIT is a form of target heart rate training, it's just that the target heart rate is much higher and fluctuates. Heart rate is a perfectly valid way to measure workload. I programmed my heart rate monitor whenever I did HIIT.

Having said that, steady state cardio that is not at your limit is a waste of time IMO.

Long slow distance.

Originally Posted by P-funk

Long slow distance.

I assume that is from the book, I went ahead and did a total memory dump of everything in that book last Saturday night.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

I assume that is from the book, I went ahead and did a total memory dump of everything in that book last Saturday night.

lmao.....which was it that erased the memory? The beer? Or the BK chicken sandwich?

My desire to finally read a different book...and maybe some of the BK Broiler.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

My desire to finally read a different book...and maybe some of the BK Broiler.

I am going to start reading another training book. Probably finish off the weightling encyclopedia and then maybe some bompa. But i need to take a break so I am reading "A million little pieces" by James Frey. A fucked up book about his drug abuse and his real life account of rehab.

Originally Posted by P-funk

I am going to start reading another training book. Probably finish off the weightling encyclopedia and then maybe some bompa. But i need to take a break so I am reading "A million little pieces" by James Frey. A fucked up book about his drug abuse and his real life account of rehab.

Sports Power is a really good book.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Sports Power is a really good book.

never heard of it? Author?

David sandler. very short book, but it has lots of cool stuff and goes over the speed-strength alot more than the NSCA book.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

David sandler. very short book, but it has lots of cool stuff and goes over the speed-strength alot more than the NSCA book.

oh yea. I have seen that book. I like Dave Sandler. He is good. He spoke at the Arnold Classic strength convention last year. I didn't get to see it becasue I didn't know that they had lectures. You have to pay like $25 to see them I guess. This year I will go. You should go, it is pretty sweet and you can see people like Sandler, Harvey Newton and the strength coaches from Ohio State Univ. talk.

Sandler is like the chairman of the Arnold strength committee or something like that.

I do both depending on what kind of phase of training I'm in. I belive our body's do adapt metabolicaly to what ever we are currently doing, so changing it up helps.