Losing weight only happens with a high heart rate. Myth or fact?

Many people think you can only lose weight by exercising at a high heart rate, because you burn more calories that way. But did you know that you burn optimal fat in a lower heart rate zone? In this blog post, Rémon Koetje, Lifestyle coach and trainer at Happy Bodies, explains what the fat-burning zone is, why it's important, and why you shouldn't forget strength training!

The fat burning zone

The fat-burning zone is a heart rate zone where your body primarily uses fat as an energy source and draws less on your glycogen stores—carbohydrates. The good news is that this fat-burning zone is a relatively low heart rate zone. So you don't have to exercise super intensely if you want to burn fat. So, if you want to lose weight, you don't have to exhaust yourself. By training in the fat-burning zone, your body burns fat, which is important for a healthy and fit body.

The added value of strength training

If you want to lose weight and burn fat, don't forget strength training. Strength training strains your muscles and causes minimal damage, without sending your heart rate through the roof. Afterward, your body needs extra energy to recover from that strain. This is called the afterburn effect, where you continue to burn extra calories for hours after your workout. So, it's important not only to do cardio but also to add strength training to your routine to achieve and maintain a healthy and fit body.

What is my fat burning zone?

There is a formula to calculate which heart rate zone is optimal for your fat burning, but you can also simply consult one of the trainers at Happy Bodies.

It's all about the right balance

You don't have to work up a sweat to lose weight—we've written a blog post about that before. The best way to lose weight is to combine cardio and strength training correctly, by varying the frequency, intensity, and duration, and by making the right nutritional choices. That's why at Happy Bodies, we offer a balanced mix of cardio and strength training to help you achieve your personal goals.