I just joined a gym, and got confused while on a treadmill...what's the difference between the "fat burning" and "cardio" programs? Which is better for weight loss? My target heartrate for fat burning is very low and doesn't seem like a workout at all. The cardio seems more appropriate, but it still recommends a fairly low heartrate and I barely work up a sweat. Can it be that very low intensity is all we need? It seems too easy!

I am 64 and have had some joint issues so I went for strength only and I like the curcit machines and I have lost 44 lbs and gained a lot of mobility and the joint pain is so much less...I feel I will have to work up to the cardio stuff. I do light weight but faster one day and the next more weight and a lot slower...

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/24/exercise.myths.trainers/index.html

See #6. Apparently the.fat burn workout is lower intensity, lower heart rate goal, etc. But you.burn calories with high intensity workouts too. I'd probably never lose weight if I had done the fat burn. N the other hand, your intensity needs to be enough to get a good workout, but not so much you cause injury. So instead of worrying about the type of workout, listen to your body.