A: The high-intensity approach is far more effective for fat loss in the long run. Here’s why.
At lower intensities, your body primarily uses fat for fuel. While this sounds ideal, your body eventually adapts by storing more fat—especially in the lower body—to become more efficient at that type of activity. I explain this concept further in this video:
Although a higher relative percentage of fat is burned during low-intensity cardio, a greater absolute amount is burned with high-intensity cardio—and in less time.
The Afterburn Effect
High-intensity cardio creates a powerful metabolic effect known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), or the “afterburn” effect. This means your metabolism stays elevated long after your workout ends, leading to increased fat burning throughout the day.
Lactic Acid & Growth Hormone
High-intensity cardio also produces greater amounts of lactic acid, which has a direct correlation with growth hormone—one of the most potent fat-burning hormones in the body. The more lactic acid you produce, the more growth hormone you release, and ultimately, the more fat you burn.
Bottom Line
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