during a workout at the gym what is bettter going at a faster speed for a short time or slower 4 longer?

Question

like on the treadmill or exercise bike

Answer 1

To burn fat, you want to go longer and slower.

To work out your heart (cardio), go faster.

These rules apply regardless of the equipment.

Answer 2

There are 3 types of muscles in your body that all work at different speeds, to work them all out you should do some farleks.

Basically whatever cardiovascular exercise you are doing. Do it quite slow for 3 minutes, fast for a minute then slow for 3 minutes. This should work everything out. Make sure you do some light weights as well though or you will lose any muscle definition and look like a long distance runner!

Enjoy

Answer 3

It's better to go slower and exercise for at least 30 mins daily at least 3 times a week. Going at a faster speed is good if you can do it, but most benefits from exercise come from consistent exercise maintained at levels which make your heart rate increase for at least 30 mins.

Answer 4

Speaking from my own personal experiences, I prefer slower and longer... I'm totally useless at running and sprinting!

Go with what you're comfortable with... And like other have said, slower, longer exercise is much better for fat burning and developing stamina, but faster, shorter exercises are good for cardio work. Of course, ANY exercise is good for the heart, so don't go joining an olympic sprinting team just yet!

It's the same with weights too... Lighter, more repetitions are good for endurance, while heavy, fewer reps are good for overall strength...

Good rule of thumb... Find the level you're comfortable with, the knock it up a notch to take you just out of your comfort zone... Works for me!

Answer 5

It depends if you are going for a fat-burning effect or a cardiovascular effect. Faster speed will be more cardiovascular, slower speed will be more targeted toward fat-burning. When I am training for a contest I usually like to keep my heart rate around 140 - 145 for 20 - 25 minutes to maximize fat-burning. Depending on your metabolism, you may have to go longer for the desired effect.

Answer 6

It entirely depends upon your goals.

For fat loss / recovery training, go at 50 to 60% of your maximum capacity for an extended period (beyond 30 minutes). Make sure you bring water with you for this, (think marathon runners taking on water every mile).

For improving strength, high intensity is definitely the way to go.

To improve aerobic performance, best to use intervals: periods of moderate intensity punctuated with periods of high intensity throughout the session.

There are many ways to approach workouts. Generally it's best to keep things fresh and not get stuck in a rut.

Check out:
http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/
He's got bags and bags of info, workout schedules, nutrition tips etc. I've got a lot of time for Brian Mack!

Cheers.

Answer 7

You should mix them. Do a hard workout followed, the next day, by a recovery workout. Do this again the next two days then take a day off. The hard workouts should average 75-80% of your max heartrate ( 220 minus your age is max). The recovery workouts should average 60-65%.

Answer 8

do the shorter and make it hard for yourself, put it on a settling that you find you are really burning to get off at the end of your 10 mins of whatever you do

keep going on that same setting untill it becomes easy (with fitness) the step it up to a harder setting, keep doing this till you feel that you are working all your body to its full extent.

the same applies for all gym equipement.

I am not talking about stepping it up everyday, space it out of a few months or a year, every body is different and will develope at different speeds and with differing results.

good luck and hope it all pays off for you.

Answer 9

Depends on what you're training for. Longer distance is obviously better for endurance but even then you need to vary your speed as your body gets use to excersize if it's always the same. Walk, jog, sprint, walk sprint, jog etc and that way your trick your body to burn more calories and improve fitness.

Answer 10

Harder for shorter is better for overall fitness, mix in a bit of slower for longer to build endurance. Variety is the spice of life.

Answer 11

It depends on what you wish to achieve. In general its best to work at around 60-70% of your maximum potential for around 20-25 mins. If however weight loss is your goal working at 40-60% of potential is reccomended for 40-60 mins.