Gauging cardio intensity

[Hriliu999]

I'm willing to buy into the idea of lower intensity cardio for getting really lean, however, having previously been enamoured with HIIT I am having some difficulty gauging the appropriate intensity levels.

Granted, my heart rate is being maintained at 70-75%, assuming you can trust the machines heart rate monitor, yet even at the 40 min mark I'm only just beaking a sweat. Moreover, my breathing is barely strained and I feel little muscular exertion.

Should this be right? Are the any obvious indicators of appropriate intensity levels.

Cheers Hriliu.

[Giantz11]

Sounds about right.

[charlieuk]

I have started mountain biking in the mornings for my cardio.

After about 4 weeks of doing it I decided to buy a heart rate monitor.

I try to stick to about 65%.

The difference is amazing.....I hardly break sweat anymore.

Doesn't feel like I'm going to get cardiovascularly fit, but if it burns fat, then I'll stick with it.

[Hriliu999]

I thought this might be the case. Just coming from doing cardio as repeat sprints I find myself looking for some degree of strain. At least the lower intensity is relatively pleasant. Speaking of which it's cardio time now.