Heart rate zones best of both worlds?

[SunsetRunner]

I have been doing cardio now 3x30 mins

[SunsetRunner]

I have been doing cardio now 3 times a week for 30 mins I was wondering if It would be a healthier option to do a 50/50 ratio of fat burn zone to cardio that way I burn sugar and fat not just one while still maintaining the health benefits. 

[Dominique]

In the end, you will burn fat (in net terms) based on the caloric deficit you will be able to achieve, through your overall activity (not just your cardio workouts) and your diet. It doesn’t really matter (from the point of view of fat loss) what time you spend in the "fat burn" zone and in the "cardio" zone, same for the ratio of these two zones. So do your cardio work for its health benefits without overthinking the fat burning effect, and make sure your diet is where it needs to be (with your body composition goals in mind).

[Baltoscott · Accepted solution]

@Dominique is right - if your ultimate goal is to reduce the fat you carry around your middle or elsewhere, all that matters is a calorie deficit.  From an exercise point of view, it doesn’t matter if you burn your calories fast (jog/run/cardio) or slow (walking).  But pushing yourself in the the aerobic HR zone on occasion IS good for your overall cardio fitness irrespective of fat loss.

That said, here is the real ‘best of both worlds’:  Walk 30 minutes to wherever it is that you do your cardio, up the effort for the 30 minutes you are there, and then walk 30 minutes back home.