Q I’ve heard that high-intensity exercise burns more fat than low-intensity exercise. Is this true?

Sarah Campus says: ‘High-intensity exercise is high-impact, highactivity for a short period of time. At this level of intensity, your heart is working at 80-to-95 per cent of your maximum heart rate. Low-intensity exercise is a lower-impact and lower-aerobic activity. High-intensity moves include jump squats, burpees, star jumps and press-ups. Low-intensity exercises include yoga, walking or swimming.

‘High-intensity moves are better for weight management than lowintensity exercises for a number of reasons. Firstly, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts burn more calories in less time than low-impact exercises, as it requires more energy to execute the move. Secondly, the Hiit-style of training is much easier to include in your routine regularly and consistently because of its shorter duration. Thirdly, the effects of calories burned throughout the day from HIIT last a lot longer post workout than those from low-intensity exercise.

‘That said, low-intensity exercises also contribute to fat loss and so shouldn’t be disregarded – results come about from a balanced, structured programme consisting of both high- and low-impact exercise. Low-impact exercises need to be performed to allow the body to recover, so that muscles repair and grow back stronger.

‘However, other factors also contribute to fat burning, such as levels of hydration (at least two litres of water daily), nutrition (balanced eating consisting of protein, carbs and healthy fats), and sleep (a good sleep routine consisting of seven-to-nine hours of quality sleep). Try my two-week fat-burning routine below.’