Are you obsessed with watching the Calorie Counter?

By Chris Young, Gym Manager

Do you take notice of the calories that you’re burning and use that as an indicator of a good workout? The following studies suggest that calories might not be that important!

20 weeks endurance training vs 15 weeks interval training

Energy cost of endurance training = 28,661 calories

Interval Training = 13,614 calories (less than half)

The interval training group showed a NINE TIMES greater loss in subcutaneous fat than the endurance group (when corrected for energy cost)

Tremblay A, Simoneau JA, Bouchard C. "Impact of exercise intensity on body fatness and skeletal muscle metabolism."

Metabolism. 1994 Jul;43(7):814-8.

Or This...

15 weeks of 20 minutes per session interval training (3 x per week) vs 15 weeks of 40 minutes of steady state exercise (3x per week)

Both groups burned the same total calories over the 15 weeks and ate the same diet. The steady state group actually gained on average 1lb of fat whereas the interval training group lost 5.5lbs of fat and increased lean mass.

The interval training group increased aerobic capacity more than steady state group.

Trapp EG, Chisholm DJ, Freund J, Boutcher SH. "The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on fat loss and fasting insulin levels of young women."

Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Jan 15

If your goal is either to increase cardiovascular fitness or to reduce body fat then interval training should be your excercise of choice.  

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this article or anything else I am available on   01276 486101 or via email at cyoung@thespa.uk.com

Chris has over 22 years of experience in the fitness industry and has competed in Powerlifting, Martial Arts, and Bodybuilding. He is a self confessed anorak with anything to do with strength and conditioning!