These things that are kinda true but not really just keep coming, don’t they?
Here’s another that I distinctly remember thinking “How does that work?” when I first heard it.
“This workout will turn you into a fat burning machine and you’ll continue to burn more calories for up to 72 hours after”.
This was very much a buzz phrase in the fitness industry about 10-15 years ago.
And I still see it (and variations of it) now.
It didn’t ring true to me that we could see such a difference in how much energy was used if the actual total amount of effort was the same.
Because, again, the fairest test involves that old ‘all else being equal’
If we work out twice as hard for twice as long then that’s clearly going to use more energy.
There’s nothing magical about that.
A little further investigation reveals that, again, this is something vaguely based on fact but hugely exaggerated.
It is true that after exercise the body will use additional energy to restore muscle energy, repair tissue and so on.
And it is true that the higher intensity exercises will increase this.
So ten 100 metre sprints as fast as you possibly can would lead to more post exercise energy usage then walking for one kilometre.
But, again, it’s not much.
Research shows that post exercise increased energy usage is around 6 to 15% of the energy used during the exercise.
So if you used 500 calories of energy during the exercise you would use an additional 30 to 75 calories afterwards.
Over 72 hours this would equate to around half to one calorie an hour extra.
So those magical workouts that other Fitness Professionals tell you will “scorch body fat for three days afterwards” are possibly helping you use an extra half a calorie an hour compared to another workout.
I know “every little helps” but………
Much love,
Jon ‘I’m going to hit the afterburners and blow right by him’ Hall
P.S. I long ago moved away from exercise being a great driver of calorie usage / weight loss. It’ll help but nowhere near as much as most will tell you. Exercise is great for health, fitness, energy levels, stamina, mood, mental health, s*x drive, aches and pains, longevity and tonnes of other great stuff. Tweaks to your eating is by far the easiest way to lose weight. If you want help with all of the above, you’ll find it at www.myrise.co.uk/apply
