Fat Burn -vs.- Cardio Vascular options on eliptical machine

Just wondering.. I use the eliptical machine at my gym and it has a fat burn option and a cardio option.. I use the fat burn and if my heart rate goes up to high it tells me to slow down, which I do.. Now my sister does the cardio option and it allows her heart rate to go higher.. So my question is, what is the diff between the 2 options.. If you are trying to burn fat isn't it the harder the better?  I would rather do the cardio option if that is the case and Im assuming it is but Im not sure.. Or Im thinking you burn more fat if your heart rate is between 2 certain levels????  Does anyone know?  Thanks in advance

i dont know about burning fat, but workouts are always most affective when you're in your target heartrate zone.... so i dont think it matters what option you use as long as you are effectively in your heart rate zone. I know it is also ineffective to go over your target heart rate so that may be why the fat burn option tells you to get your heart rate lower.

:) hope i helped

mel

The difference is how it measures your heart rate.  The fat-burn zone is for keeping your target heartrate at 65% of its capacity (over resting).  A cardio or aerobic heart rate is 85% of its capacity.  Really, it's an impact thing.  You'll burn more calories with a higher impact workout, but speed doesn't really matter.  For heart health, go for cardio/aerobic, but if that's not one of your concerns, just stick with the fat burn!

I started out doing the fat-burn but the damn beeping the machine did at me every time my heart rate went up drove me batty.  Now I do random or manual.  That way, I don't have to constantly watch the monitor for instructions, just go go go!

Not exactly sure of the details but at a slower heart rate your body gets more energy from fat sources. At higher heart rate your body gets its energy from more readily available sources such as muscle glycogen. That's why many marathon runners have a soft muscle look and not bulky muscles. They have great cardiovascular health but not necessarily bodybuilding champs.
I've read to loose weight slower is better and some people feel they are not working hard enough but really are for fat loss.

Man, you guys never fail.. Great and informative responses..Thanks!