The Complicated Truth About Fat Burning Programs on Cardio Machines

A curious reader of the L.A Times wonders if "fat burning" programs on cardio machines actually burn more fat than other programs. The answer, offered by Jay Blahnik, is 'no", "sometimes" and "it depends."  Blahnik does the calorie math nicely, then gets to perhaps more important realm of psychology.
What if a person did not like to run, he posits, but preferred power walking instead? That person might burn more fat and calories from running, but hate the workout. That might cause her to work out less often, making her weight-loss goal more difficult to achieve. Similarly, she might enjoy running, but find herself unable to last more than 15 minutes. In that case, her workout would be so much shorter, her overall fat- and calorie-burn might be much lower than if she simply walked the full 30 minutes.
Blahnik tells us that the perfect "fat-burning" intensity is different for each person because the intensity affects how long you work out and how much you enjoy it. And those factors are often more important than how hard you push yourself. The best thing to do, he says, is mix up your workout intensities and times. On days when you are short on time, push yourself a little harder. On days when you have some time to spare, go a little easier and work out a little longer. Read more in the L.A. Times.