Aerobic or anaerobic?

[BARKER!]

Which form of cardio is best for burning fat whilst most importantly retaining muscle mass? Will i retain more of my muscle mass from a high intensity workout (ie fast run/sprints) or from a low intensity workout (ie slow run)?

Also is it best to do cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach or havin eating an hour or so before?

I'v read the best time to do cardio for fat burning purposes is to do it without eating. This makes sense as the body would burn fat for energy as there is no food inside you, however i have also read that when performing cardio it is best to eat before and after your workout if you want to retain muscle.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????

I have shy'd away from cardio in the past because i have lossed too juch muscle when doing cardio, however i want to loose a little fat but my main aim is to retain the muscle i have worked so hard for!

[Scorcher2005]

The best way, from what I've read, is low intensity cardio. Low intensity taps into fat stores for energy, whereas high intensity (sprinting, running) tap into carb/protein for energy therefor making a catabolic state in the body. I do my cardio in the AM after drinking a protein shake.

[joe citizen]

Read the sticky at the top of this forum titled " HIIT - High Intensity Interval Training Overview"

If you have anymore questions after reading that, then feel free to ask them...

[Eric3237]

^^^^Yeah. Read the sticky like JC said. I posted another article in the articles section which is linked at the end of that.

Plus read this: http://www.bodybuilding.net/fatloss-...ths+microscope

Then see what you think.

One possible advantage to HIIT that I don't think many people consider is, instead of just lack of catabolism, anabolism. Think about the fact that you need a glycogen rich environment to grow muscle. This means a WHOLE lot of carbs for many of us. Which could also mean some fat. But high intensity cardio gives you the same window of oppurtunity as your weight training to increase you glycogen levels quickly because of the insulin sensitivity.

I.E., you follow your HIIT with a post workout regimen the same as with your weight work so that you muscles are sucking up nutrients while you are enjoying greater post exercise fat burning.