There are many trends and new ways of losing weight that is introduced in the world of fitness and many people are willing to experiment with their fitness routine to see result quicker. People picked up on the trend of fasted cardio as many fitness trainers and enthusiasts claimed that it revs up the fat burning process and hence is ideal for people looking to shed some kilos in less time. Here is what you need to know about fasted cardio and if it is worth switching up your habits.
What is fasted cardio?
Fasted cardio is exercising and elevating your heart rate without having a pre-workout meal before starting out. It is believed that exercising on an empty stomach will make the fat-burning process faster.
To be more clear, a person is considered to be in a fasted state when he/she has had last meal 8-10 hours before their workout. For some people, their body may take only a few hours to digest their last meal. When the last meal has been completely digested and there is nor glycogen reserve left for the body to derive energy from, the body is believed to turn to fat deposits for energy.
For most people, it is easier to do fasted cardio in the morning but the ones practicing intermittent fasting can also try doing fasted cardio by adjusting their workout time.
Benefits
- It may help people in burning their body fat faster
- It is known to improve endurance in people over time
- People who do fasted cardio are able to do their workouts for longer periods as opposed to the ones who don’t.
- It helps your body become more efficient with fuel.
Disadvantages
- The body may start to break down the muscles to derive energy instead of using fat reserves.
- It is not the best option for people who want to maintain their muscle mass and even build muscles
- You may end up feeling tired and fatigued after your workout and the feeling may even start to set in during the workout.
- It may affect your performance and ability to push yourself while exercising.
Consult your trainer or dietitian before starting it.