Which is Better? 20 Minutes Hard Cardio or 1 Hour Easy?

[stevus]

In terms of keeping the weight off, which is better, short & hard cardio or long & easy cardio. I alternate my workouts: 20 minutes hard run on treadmill, 45 minutes punching bag, 1 hour aerobics, or 1 hour wimpy exercise bike. Also, I only do cardio now, no more lifting, but I train every day with rare exceptions. The thing I notice most with the hard runs is my lungs feel great, I sweat the most, and overall, feeling like I kicked some butt, it's just that it's only 20 minutes. Maybe, I'm getting the most results from the punching bag or aerobics because of the long periods of time at a constant, fast heartbeat?

[CarlsonTeam101]

In my opinion the hard cardio is better, think of it as strength training for your conditioning. The 20 mins hard cardio would be more effective.

[AGEE]

if your trying to get in fighting shape,short hard cardio is better.sprints .burpees,pushups ,squats etc.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by stevus

In terms of keeping the weight off, which is better, short & hard cardio or long & easy cardio. I alternate my workouts: 20 minutes hard run on treadmill, 45 minutes punching bag, 1 hour aerobics, or 1 hour wimpy exercise bike. Also, I only do cardio now, no more lifting, but I train every day with rare exceptions. The thing I notice most with the hard runs is my lungs feel great, I sweat the most, and overall, feeling like I kicked some butt, it's just that it's only 20 minutes. Maybe, I'm getting the most results from the punching bag or aerobics because of the long periods of time at a constant, fast heartbeat?

Do a search on HIIT and Tabata Intervals. If your goal is fat loss, short intense cardio sessions are unbeatable.

[supmaynnn]

is the idea of long easy cardio being best for fat burning just a thing of old research from the past?
i remember learning about it in PE class in the 90s

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by supmaynnn

is the idea of long easy cardio being best for fat burning just a thing of old research from the past?
i remember learning about it in PE class in the 90s

In a nutshell, longer steady state aerobic sessions will burn a greater % of fat DURING the session itself. Higher intensity work will burn a lower % of fat during exercise but will raise your metabolism higher and for a longer period after exercise.

[Ualue]

Look at how a sprinter's body looks compared to that of a long distance runner.

A sprinter is always ripped/muscular....where as long distance runners are Somalian warlords.

Short hard cardio = better

[Mark Limbaga]

If your goal is to burn fast, short intense cardio produces better EPOC (excess post exercise energy consumption) versus long slow cardio

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by BabyPhenom

If your goal is to burn fast, short intense cardio produces better EPOC (excess post exercise energy consumption) versus long slow cardio

I was waiting for you man!

[Fighter ex]

Originally Posted by supmaynnn

is the idea of long easy cardio being best for fat burning just a thing of old research from the past?
i remember learning about it in PE class in the 90s

You ever see a lean muscular person walking on the treadmill for an hour?