How to Pace Your Workout to Burn Mega Calories

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How to Pace Your Workout to Burn Mega Calories

Do intervals or steady-paced cardio workouts burn more calories? A pro leads you through the best calorie-melting workout.

By Betsy Stephens

Question: "Which burns more calories, intervals or an intense steady-paced workout?"

Answer: If melting mega calories is your goal, you're better off varying your heart rate throughout your workout, which will boost your average intensity overall, says Dixie Douville, a master instructor for Mad Dogg Athletics. Still, she cautions, really pushing yourself every time you hit the gym increases injury risk and can diminish rewards in the long run. Instead, aim for intervals once or twice a week and a steady-paced routine (between 65 and 80 percent of your maximum heart rate) the other three or four days.

Originally published in Fitness magazine, May 2006.