Bring up the topic of fasted cardio to anyone who works out and you’ll probably wish you hadn’t…There are so many opinions about whether it works or not that it’s hard to know. So, what is it?

What is Fasted Cardio?

In essence it is training on an empty stomach. The easiest time of day to do it is before breakfast after you’ve slept all night and are therefore fasted. Hence the name break…fast! you are breaking your fast.

How Does Fasted Cardio work?

The idea is that you raise your heart rate, but only giving 50-60% effort in order to burn off the fat first and not any carbs because you have not eaten any. The key point is that you do not want to go all out 100% effort. A gentle cycle to work or a brisk walk would do the trick. Some exercise which is 15-20 mins long is ideal.

Does it Work?

There are mixed opinions about it. Some people swear by it while others do not. I used to use it because I would get up late, ride my bike to work and have breakfast there. I don’t think it did any harm but I’m not sure how much good it did either…It’s one of those where it’s very difficult to tell.

If it gets you out and moving around then it’s a good thing but in truth I would think it’s better to have a light breakfast first then cycle or walk to work. But give it a go and see if it agrees with you. The great thing about health and fitness is that every one is unique and what works for one person might not work for another.

After the Workout

It’s very important that you get some food in after your fasted session if you do decide to give it a go. I would recommend having a mix of protein and carbs. Check out my breakfast ideas for some healthy breakfast inspiration or you could have a look at the protein shakes on my other site as a convenient way to get a good hit of protein in the morning.