Does anyone know why I burn more %fat doing ballet class than running..??

Hi

I wore my Polar HRM to my 1 Hour ballet class yesterday, and it said I burn 220 cals/60%fat

However, I can run for 6 miles, burn over 700 cals and it only be 25% fat.....

Does anyone know whay that is????  Would be interesting to know why

Many thanks

The basic version is: as exercise intensity increases it goes from aerobic to anaerobic. With this progression less oxygen is used in energy production. It also means that primary source of "fuel" is shifted from fat to stored glycogen. This of course got really really twisted few years back and the whole "fat burning zone" came out of it. heh.

UD

Another thing to keep in mind is that 60% of 220 is 132 "fat" calories.  25% of 700 is 175 "fat" calories.  So even though your percentage was lower, the total number is higher.

So where does the stored glycogen calories get replenished from?  Is that from carbs that you eat after working out?  Does your body slowly replace the glycogen from fat stores?  Inquiring minds want to know if it makes any difference in the end...

Clint

All of the above I would think.

Couple links I found that talk about it:

http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php ?id=42431

http://www.cptips.com/recvry.htm

Melkor can probably provide more links, better explanation. :)

UD

Check out Tim Noake's The Lore of Running.  Specifically, chapter 3 "Energy Systems and Running Perfomance". Enlightenment is just a short trip to the library away.

It definitely makes me think that adding a ballet class a week in with my marathon training running programme, and a strength work out is a very good idea.

And good fun!!

I'll be in a pink tu-tu next..........!!