The best exercise for weight loss, according to new research

Consider this a green light to ditch the treadmill

When it comes to weight loss, there’s no magic workout that suits everyone. Image: Pexels

There may be more opinions about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ workout than there are grains of sand. Now, science is stepping in to set the record straight. 

When you think about the different body types, fitness levels and cardiovascular thresholds across the entire population, the idea of a universal ‘fat-burning zone’ is absurd. 

So why are we letting our workouts be guided by a pre-programmed machine at the gym?

This is the question the latest research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has just answered.

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Comparing the heart rate data of 26 participants throughout several clinical exercise tests, the study revealed the optimal fat-burning heart threshold differed drastically for each individual. 

"People with a goal of weight or fat loss may be interested in exercising at the intensity which allows for the maximal rate of fat burning," says the study’s lead author Hannah Kittrell, PhD candidate at Icahn Mount Sinai.

So, if there’s a more efficient way to burn fat than running laps at the park, we’re more than ready to hear it.

Are you wasting your time on a treadmill?

While there’s no double that exercising at a certain intensity leads to maximal fat burning, the findings of the study reinforce that how we determine that threshold depends greatly on an individual’s genetic and environmental factors.

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to our fat-burning thresholds. Image: Getty

And while most gym machines model the recommended heart rate to maintain based on a person’s weight, age, heart rate and gender, their predictions must be taken with a grain of salt, as an individual’s health capacity can’t be reflected in those factors alone. 

For example, no matter how exhausting, your hours spent sweating on a treadmill may not be best aligned with your weight loss goals. 

The research isn’t disproving the effectiveness of cardio but rather recommends consulting with a professional trainer for an individualised program that incorporates a combination of exercise types into your routine. 

While the research disproves the efficiency of pre-programmed machines for optimal fat burning, the basic science behind our trusty treadmills and ellipticals (while not always right) comes from the right place.

Cardio isn’t the only fat-burning avenue

When you’re looking to dial up your heart rate and get your sweat on, cardio is a no-brainer. But it’s certainly not the only option.

Resistance training is a great way to work up a sweat and get your heart rate soaring. Image: Getty

You can work out in your optimal fat-burning zone just as effectively through resistance and strength training. It’s time to shake the notion that weight training is for bulking and cardio is for shedding.

Moreso, serious fat-burning and weight loss doesn’t just happen as a result of what you’re doing in the gym. Diet and what you fuel your body with may actually be more of a key player when it comes to long-term results. 

When it comes to weight loss, there’s no magic workout that suits everyone. It all comes down to variety and maintaining a balanced diet that supports your health goals. 

And regardless of the weight loss benefits, if your favourite treadmill workout fills your cup, then it’s the right one for you, no matter what the latest research says.

Originally published as The best exercise for weight loss, according to new research