Slow cardio sucks

I thought I would start with the biggest myth of them all. Before you bash me with your science, increasing activity will increase your metabolism, then increase your calories burned, then increase your fuel (carbs and fat) usage. Exercise Physiology 101. The only problem is that most people believe more is better. Once they achieve a decent cardiovascular level, they can run for longer and more efficiently (so they think). We do not store calories in our body. A calorie is just a measurement of heat.

Standing burns more calories than sitting. Walking burns more calories than standing. Jogging burns more calories than walking... and so on and so on. You will start to lose weight initially simply because you are not sitting on your butt anymore. In so many number of weeks (based on genetics and your initial starting level) your body will adapt. Your body will adapt anything. Ask an obese person if their body has adapted to in taking more calories. You are damn right it does. It is a vicious cycle.

After so many number of weeks comes a little bit of poundage loss. Cool. Every client that I have ever had has always wanted to "tone".

----   tone  (tōn)
v. toned , ton·ing , tones
 To give tone or firmness to.

 

You don't tone by doing slow paced cardiovascular work. Your heart will get stronger. You will make more blood. Your resting heart rate will decrease. Those are all positive adaptations but they have nothing to do with toning. 

 

To summarize, a calorie is a measure of heat, not that piece of fat on your inner thigh. You will initially lose some fat but your body will adapt to the slow ways of your metabolic work. If you have poor posture and/or movement patterns, they will be reinforced by long and slow paced work. More is better right? Wrong. You will see just as many running injuries from poor posture as you will see lifting injuries from technique. There is a correct running stride but if do not move well walking, running will not help.

 

Part 2: Solutions... Tomorrow

 

Man I really need to learn how to write more succinct.