Many people think that you can only lose weight if you exercise with a high heart rate, because you burn more calories. But did you know that you burn optimal fat in a lower heart rate zone? In this blog, Rémon Koetje, Lifestyle coach and trainer at Happy Bodies, explains what the fat burning zone is, why it is important and why you should not forget strength training!
The fat burning zone
The fat burning zone is a heart rate zone in which your body mainly uses fats as an energy source and makes less use of your glycogen stores – carbohydrates. The good news is that that fat burn zone is a relatively low heart rate zone. So you don't have to exercise super intensively if you want to burn fat. So if you want to lose weight, you don't have to exhaust yourself. By training in the fat burning zone, your body burns fats, which is important for a healthy and fit body.
The added value of strength training
Those who want to lose weight and burn fat should not forget to pay attention to strength training. During strength training, your muscles are taxed and – minimally – damaged, without your heart rate going through the roof. After training, your body needs extra energy to recover from that load. This is it afterburn effect called, where you burn extra calories hours after the workout. So it is not only important to do cardio, but also to add strength training to your routine to get and maintain a healthy and fit body.
What is my fat burning zone?
To calculate at which heart rate zone your fat burning is optimal, there is a formula, but you can of course also just consult with one of the trainers at Happy Bodies.
It's all about the right balance
You don't have to work up a sweat like crazy to lose weight, we already wrote about that rather a blog. The best way to lose weight is to combine cardio and strength in the right way, by varying the frequency, intensity and duration, and by using the right choices to do in the field of nutrition. At Happy Bodies, we therefore offer a balanced mix of cardio and strength training to help you on your way to your personal goals.
Knowing more?
Curious how you too get more energy by training twice for 35 minutes every ten days, under the guidance of your own personal lifestyle coach? Even if you have physical complaints? Then do the membership test and sign up for a free personal introductory meeting and tour of the club. Want to bet that you are immediately sold?
