“So don’t be fooled by the ‘ fat-burning zone‘ on cardio machines,” says Thieme. Known as the “afterburn effect” - or, more technically, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) - it can keep your metabolism humming at a higher level for more than 48 hours. The greater that debt, the longer your metabolism stays elevated after you exercise in an effort to pay it back. Unlike slow to moderate steady-state cardio, high-intensity cardio isn’t sustainable.īut here’s why it’s still a better option for fat loss: Exercising above your anaerobic threshold sends your body into what’s called “oxygen debt.” “As it does, your muscles start to burn, and you move ever more quickly towards exhaustion.” “Metabolic waste begins to accumulate faster than your body can clear it,” says Thieme. In short, you’ve crossed the anaerobic threshold, and there’s a price to pay for that. If you’ve ever done HIIT, you’ve felt the deep muscle burn.Īnd the reason you’re feeling that burn is because your body has shifted from slower, oxygen-based (aerobic) energy production to faster, oxygen-independent (anaerobic) energy production to meet your muscles’ increased demand for fuel.

Daily cardio workout for men