Exercise Question - Faster or Longer??

[SharpMomOfTwo]

When I do my walk outside, I'm only out there for about 35 minutes, but I get in 2.5 miles. When I'm on the treadmill, I go for 45 minutes, and do about 2.9 miles.

Which is better - Longer time / Slower pace or Shorter time / Faster pace?


TIA

 

[disneyrunningnut]

You burn about the same amount of calories for every mile no matter how fast you go. If you go faster you can cover more distance in the time alloted.

Does this help?

David

 

[luvdiz2]

That is disappointing I'll slow down a little -jk

 

[soupy11]

Using a calculator shows the following....

For 180 lbs person.

Walking 3mph for 120 minutes for a distance of 6 miles = 713 Calories
Running 6mph for 60 minutes for the same distance = 821 Calories.

Very close and seems to hold up disneyrunningnut's comments!

 

[AmyBeth68]

The best way to train IMO is to use both heart-rate (level of exertion) and time.

So I'd recommend choosing a time to exercise...as an example 45 minutes...and then trying to stay in a great cardio range (60-85% of maximum HR). I always recommend training with a HRM since it gives you real-time output and helps you work in a safe zone that more efficiently burns calories while developing your endurance.

Adding some intervals during your walk...either a faster pace for a certain time or some jogging...will also help you to develop a stronger heart and add some variety to your walks!

Good luck .

 

[3DisneyKids]

For fat loss, the long and slower runs will do the trick. Not sure for walking, but many running articles (and my running coach) advocate longer and slower for burning fat. This is different than burning calories. I think but Dave and Soupy are correct with the calorie burn. But the longer you are on there, that is when your body releases its fat stores and then you are burning that.

Now, if your goal is something other than that (muscle building, increasing time, etc.) then speed work is going to be better. Speed work is also better for abs.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

The best way to train IMO is to use both heart-rate (level of exertion) and time.

So I'd recommend choosing a time to exercise...as an example 45 minutes...and then trying to stay in a great cardio range (60-85% of maximum HR). I always recommend training with a HRM since it gives you real-time output and helps you work in a safe zone that more efficiently burns calories while developing your endurance.

Adding some intervals during your walk...either a faster pace for a certain time or some jogging...will also help you to develop a stronger heart and add some variety to your walks!

Good luck .

Whats an HRM??

 

[AmyBeth68]

HRM = Heart Rate Monitor

Also...3Disneykids is right. While training for an event I usually do the majority of my runs in the slower end of the spectrum, keeping my heart rate in the lower end of the cardio-zone (where you will probably end up if you are newer to exercise) or in the fat-burn zone. Typically I do this by running a certain distance, but keeping my pace at a very slow and steady one. The same can be applied to walking. The bottom line is right though...a calorie is a calorie...it's just a question of exactly how many you are burning. During the spin classes that I teach I try to keep my class in the fat-burn/low end cardio zone for a good portion of the class (they should be able to carry on a conversation without being breathless). However, I do teach primarily interval format and thus allow that burst of speed with a sprint during class or a hardy hill climb to bump the HR up for a little while, following that up with a recovery period. I wouldn't advocate actual "speed work" for walking/running until you've been training for a long time, and only if you are training for an event. However, adding short bursts where you bump the HR will help you to burn more calories in the long run while still mostly burning fat, which can be done by speeding up your walking pace a little or adding some hills. IMO, mixing it up a bit is the best of both worlds .