[quote]Nothingface wrote:
IQ wrote:
I must admit that I’m playing devil’s advocate a little here and I will read the study when I get a minute.
I agree with the bang for your buck argument which is why I do intervals now but I switch to SSSC for the same reason as the bodybuilders do. Admittedly I’m not training twice every day as they might but I’m not taking steroids either.
If I’m actively trying to lose fat I will be in a calorie deficit and trying my best to limit muscle loss, for this purpose I prefer SSSC. There is more than one way to accomplish most tasks, I just can’t understand why some seem to be so single minded.
You’re right in that both methods can be effective. The question is what do you consider steady state cardio? HIIT is very effective, probably the most effective. SSSC can be effective, but if not done properly can burn up too much muscle, that’s the real problem. The reason that marathoners have terrible physiques is that long distance running is their primary form of exercise, if not only form. If you want to have a some muscle and low bodyfat, then your first step is to build the muscle neccessary to have a metabolism that burns fat. Thus, your weight training must always be your main form of exercise. Then, either HIIT or SSSC will help burn fat, but the key is to not lose your muscle in the process. SSSC that is simply walking, non-panting cardio done frequently will not have the adverse muscle burning effects. Long distance running, burns too much muscle, thats what it comes down to. Either do your cardio in very high intensity, or very low intensity. Not in between, which is what most people consider steady state cardio. For more about this, look up Lonnie Lowery’s “100 workouts to ripped city”.[/quote]
Good comments, gents. Though the study results are intriguing and my personal experience suggests that HIIT is the way to go, I definitely agree with IQ that there’s ample anecdotal evidence to suggest that the answer may not be as simple as “SSSC causes fat gain,” and “HIIT burns fat like paper.” Clearly diet and other exercise modalities play a significant role here; a zillion jacked and shredded pro bodybuilders can’t be totally wrong.
We may have a case where the science has yet to lay out the full complexity of the truth. I mean, if SSSC does indeed cause fat gain, marathoners should be fat blobs.
DF