Is it better to run longer or faster to lose weight?

Author: Clair Hermiston  |  Last update: Thursday, October 30, 2025

Running faster is a more efficient workout, burns more calories per minute, and it builds more muscle strength. If that's what you're looking for, as well as anaerobic exercise benefits, faster runs may be right for you. That said, you may need more days off to recover.

Is it better to run fast or slow for weight loss?

Research suggests that slow to a very moderate pace while running may burn a higher percentage of fat in the calories burned during the exercise, but if you run faster during a given time (covering more distance) you burn more calories overall, which will probably have more of an effect on overall fat loss.

Are longer runs better for weight loss?

To lose weight, focus on running longer at a moderate pace, as it burns more calories overall and boosts endurance. However, mixing in faster, high-intensity intervals (HIIT) can enhance fat-burning and metabolism. Balance both strategies for the best results, alongside a healthy diet and consistent routine.

Is it better to run 1 mile fast or 2 miles slow?

As others have said it depends on your goals. However, the vast majority of your runs should be done slower for longer distances. If your goal is to compete in shorter, faster races then you'll want to do a little bit more speed work that's tailored to the events you want to do.

What is the best length to run to lose weight?

The ideal amount of running for weight loss is about 40 minutes. Don't start there. Start with what you can do reasonably today, and go a little farther each time until you're consistently doing 40 minutes of running. Why 40 minutes?

Running For Weight Loss! | Run Tips For Losing Weight

Is 30 minutes of running a day enough to lose weight?

Running can also make you seriously sweat, and even if you stick to a slow pace, you'll still torch calories. How many calories you burn will depend on a few different factors, including your height and weight, but you can burn roughly anything from 220 to 400 calories running for just 30 minutes.

How to lose 5 pounds in a week?

If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit. If you weigh 250-pound, you will need to reduce your daily calorie intake to about 1,250 calories per day, an amount that is too low amounting to starvation.

Do you burn more calories running faster or longer?

Burns calories faster

When you run faster, "the muscles tend to burn more calories per time, so you burn energy a little more," says McGrath. Additionally, the faster you run, the more carbohydrates you burn, he adds. "Running faster is obviously a bigger bang for your buck for calorie burn," says Vasudevan.

Is running better than gym?

Duke University conducted a study to compare running and strength training for weight loss. Contrasts between running and strength training groups suggested that running decreases both body weight and fat mass significantly more than strength training does.

What is the best speed to run for weight loss?

Pick up the pace to a 6 mph run, and you'll burn between 300 and 444 calories in 30 minutes. Runners who can maintain a 10 mph pace burn between 495 and 733 for that same half-hour run. Changing your running speed can make a difference in the amount of calories burned and weight lost per week.

What is a good distance to run everyday?

Try to start with one to three miles per day if you are new to running. Stay closer to the one-mile end if you don't currently do much exercise. If you hike, bike, or do something similar, you may want to see how you do running three miles a day. As you gain more miles over time, your heart and lungs become stronger.

How can I maximize my running weight loss?

The 3 Most Effective Running Workouts For Losing Weight
  1. Aerobic intervals. In this type of interval training, the ratio between work and recovery is 1 to 2. ...
  2. Intervals at your 5k race pace. In these intervals, the work and recovery periods are equal. ...
  3. Continuous run at your 10k race pace.

Do you run faster if you're skinnier?

But again, knowing you can lose some of your extra pounds is an easy way to boost your speed. Overall, you can say that for every excess percent that you become lighter, you also become one percent faster. This makes sense, because you use less energy when you are lighter, while your heart-lung system is unchanged.

What should a tempo run look like?

To sum things up – you're doing a tempo run workout if: You're able to sustain a challenging but attainable running pace for 20 to 60 minutes (more on the technicalities of tempo pacing below). Your heart rate stays between about 80 to 90 percent of its maximum rate for the run.

How many calories do you burn jogging for 45 minutes?

For me, that would be ~450–500 calories. The number of calories you burn during a 45-minute workout depends on several factors, including: Exercise intensity. A higher intensity workout will burn significantly more calories than a lower intensity workout of the same duration.

Do you lose belly fat by running?

The question is not how often should you run to burn belly fat - more important is the type of running you do. Studies have shown that high-intensity workouts which involve a high level of exertion for a short period of time are more effective at burning fat, particularly in the belly.

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds?

To lose weight effectively and safely, aiming to lose 1 to 2 pounds (lbs) per week may be best. This means that losing 20 lbs may take 10 to 20 weeks. To lose weight, people will likely need to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Some popular diets are effective initially but challenging to maintain.

How to burn 1000 calories in a day?

Running, cycling, swimming, and rowing are all great options for hitting your calorie burn target.
  1. Running: To burn 1000 calories in a day, a 75 kg person running at 10 km/h can burn around 600 calories in an hour. ...
  2. Cycling: Biking at 18-20 km/h can help you burn 600-800 calories in an hour.

Is it better to run faster or longer?

While both running styles can improve health, running longer is better for cardiovascular and muscular endurance.

Does running 1 mile burn the same as walking 1 mile?

If you're just not in the mood for a high-powered run, or you're never gonna be, this is a standard question. Let's take into account calorie burn and effort. Generally, walking burns about half the calories as running over the same distance and takes about twice as long.

Can I lose weight by running 30 minutes a day?

Running can burn up to 671 calories in 30 minutes if the right conditions are met. Aerobic cardiovascular exercises, like running, have many physical and mental advantages. One of them is weight control. There's scientific evidence that less than three hours of cardio a week can help you maintain your weight.

What is the 30/30/30 rule for weight loss?

The 30/30/30 is a weight loss method that involves eating 30 g of protein within the first 30 minutes of your day and following it with 30 minutes of light exercise. This morning routine is rooted in sound science, and it could be a good way to increase your capacity to burn fat while keeping lean muscle.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

Is losing 6 pounds noticeable?

CDC further recommends that you need to lose around 5-10% of your total body weight to notice changes. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds, you need to lose roughly 8.3-17 pounds to notice a difference.

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