Does Running Burn More Fat?

VS.


I often get asked what is the best type of exercise for fat burning. Obviously there are many great fat burning workouts that you can do. If you have been reading this blog for awhile you know that I am a big proponent of strength training for fat loss. Even though I feel that strength training is far superior at fat burning than traditional cardio, that doesn't mean that traditional cardio exercise is a waste.

In fact if you can combine your strength training and your cardio programs you will see even better results with fat loss. So what is the best type of traditional cardio? I really believe that any type of exercise you enjoy is going to be the most beneficial. If you hate doing something you probably won't stick with it. But if you can handle it, running may be one of the better forms of exercise.

In a study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in the February 2010 issue, researchers compared fat and carbohydrate oxidation between running and cycling. This study showed that at the same intensity running actually burned more fat than cycling did. I know spinning classes have become extremely popular, but they may not be the best way to burn fat. However, if you can train harder on a bike then you could running you can make up that difference. The drawback is you have to train more intensely on a bike than you do running.

The bottom line still remains the same. If you hate running you don't have to start running now. It is a great way to burn fat, but if you hate doing it you probably won't be able to stick with it. If you enjoy running or at least don't mind it then you are performing a great fat burning exercise. Remember whatever type of traditional cardio exercise you choose, interval training is still the most efficient way to burn fat.

For the most effective fat loss combine your running workout (or other cardio program) with high intensity strength training workouts. For great workout ideas sign up for a free account with My Workout Creator. Here is a great example of one Fat Burning Strength Routine.

The DB Fat Loss Workout (you must sign up for a free account to view this page)

Have a good workout.

Mike Deibler MS, CSCS
San Diego Personal Trainer
My Workout Creator