Which workout burns more after it's over?
Isocaloric High-Intensity Interval and Circuit Training Increases Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption and Lipid Oxidation Compared to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Fat burning is higher after intense workouts, even though it’s suppressed during them.
Most people think low-intensity exercise burns more fat overall, but this shows high-intensity triggers a stronger fat-burning rebound.
Practical Takeaways
Do HIIT or circuit training if you want to maximize calorie and fat burn after your workout.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Fat burning is higher after intense workouts, even though it’s suppressed during them.
Most people think low-intensity exercise burns more fat overall, but this shows high-intensity triggers a stronger fat-burning rebound.
Practical Takeaways
Do HIIT or circuit training if you want to maximize calorie and fat burn after your workout.
Publication
Journal
Sports
Year
2025
Authors
Viviane Faleiro, Alexandre V Gurgel, Thiago T. Guimarães, T. C. Figueiredo, Felipe G. Teixeira, Bruno Jotta, E. R. Monteiro, Alexandre Meirelles, C. A. Caldas, Maicon T de Almeida, R. Castiglione, Silvio R Marques-Neto
Related Content
Claims (6)
After tough workouts like HIIT or circuit training, fit guys burn fat faster in the hour after exercise compared to easier, steady workouts—even though they burn less fat during the actual workout.
For fit guys, a tough but short workout leads to burning more calories after exercise compared to a longer, easier workout—even if both burn the same total calories. That’s because intense workouts keep your metabolism revved up longer.
Doing intense bursts of exercise with rest in between can keep your body burning more calories for up to a whole day after your workout.
After tough workouts like sprint intervals or fast-paced circuit training, fit guys burn more carbs in the hour after exercise compared to easier, steady workouts — which might mean their bodies are working harder to refill energy stores.
If a fit guy burns more carbs during a tough workout, he's likely to burn more fat afterward while recovering.