Urgent Question: What Option Burns Muscle More on Ellipticals: "Cardio" or "Fat Burn?

[Frank2500]

Hi Folks, this is an urgent question for me and I need helpful suggestions and feedback from folks who are really experienced with this topic, as I am very concerned about losing my bulk and the muscle mass I have worked so hard to develop now for almost two and a half years. Usually, when I get on the Elliptical at my gym, I choose the "Fat Burn Option." I used to think that when you choose that option, you lose less muscle than when you choose the "Cardio" option on the Elliptical because when you press "Fat Burn," beneath it reads: "Low Intensity." However, when you click on "Cardio," it reads "High Intensity."

I'm concerned because for some reason, it appears as if I have one of those body types that lose muscle mass very easily when I jog for a while or if I use the Elliptical for too long, which is why I often do 11 minutes "Fat Burn" on the Elliptical once a week. But a friend of mine just told me that choosing "Fat Burn" on the Elliptical is actually a mistake because it makes you lose more muscle mass than if you chose the "Cardio" option, and that in the end, you're really not helping your heart. I assumed normally that because the "Fat Burn" option reads "Low Intensity," I will lose less muscle if I chose that option. I just don't want to lose my bulk. Can someone give me some advice on what I should choose when I get on the Elliptical?

 

[Warboss Alex]

You've lost more muscle through cortisol release just overthinking this question.

Have some protein, do some cardio, work up a sweat, end of story.

The machine's specifics are rarely accurate and will depend on whoever's using it, me at 240 will burn a lot more calories on a particular setting than a guy 180 and so on..

 

[Frank2500]

Re:

So your suggestions is I should do cardio and not the fat burn thing?

 

[Warboss Alex]

No man, I suggest you don't worry about 'settings' on machines as they are inaccurate and will vary from person to person. Just choose a pace that isn't easy but isn't hard either, you should be able to hold a conversation as you cardio without choking on words..

 

[Throttle]

your friend is full of ****. read what WBA said, several times, slowly if necessary. furthermore, go through the vault and try some searches on losing fat. the intensity of your cardio is probably the least important variable for fat loss without burning muscle (diet is #1). some guys swear by slow steady-state & others by HIIT, but you have to find what works for you.