Am I reaping the same benefits from my workout if I split it into two parts (see details)?

Since the overall duration of your workout was extended because of the break you took in between, you probably had your heart rate up for longer than a usual workout… so I’d imagine you got a longer cardio workout along with more sustained calorie burning even if not by a lot.

Thanks, @intrepidium. Your response made me realize that maybe I should have clarified something in my question: Is splitting my workout detrimental? I’m not worried about whether it’s better to split it, I just would like to know if I’m somehow doing myself a disservice.

I can’t imagine how it might be physically detrimental since you’re probably giving your body an easier time than a long-sustained and presumably more intense workout. Lactic acid build-up is probably lower with the split and your muscles get to recover sooner/faster…

But if you have a training plan or goal in mind, the split might be seen as detrimental to achieving a certain level within a certain time e.g. not straining enough to build a desired level of stamina you’re aiming for.

@intrepidium – Thanks. Your answer makes sense. I’m not training for anything, just working out to lose weight, so it’s comforting to know that if I have to break halfway through it’s probably not too bad a thing.

In the long term, no problem. If you exercise regularly and vigorously, your body does not discriminate that precisely.

@Seelix If you are doing cardio to lost weight, this break is actually detrimental to your goals. In order to lose weight, you need to keep your heart rate at a sustained level for a duration of time. So while you are taking your break, you are allowing your heart rate to decrease to an at rest state. I would say instead of resting completely, maybe decrease the resistance, but don’t stop completely.

Yes @Seelix, splitting workouts has been proven to give the same results or better than doing one workout per day. ;0) Just workout as many days as you can and take the breaks you need.

@SpatzieLover I looked at the journal article and I think the biggest reason for weight loss was because of the motivational adherence to exercise that the study produced. In terms of weight loss, a person will lose more weight if they reach a target heart rate and sustain that heart rate for at least 20–30. I was told by all my trainers back in the day that you only start burning fat around the 15–20 minute mark.

@Schroedes13 – That’s interesting. I’ve been using the bike for about 2 months now, and haven’t had to take a break until this heat wave. Like I mentioned, it’s super hot in TO right now and I just couldn’t hack 45 minutes right through. Splitting the workout isn’t something I’m planning on doing all the time – I’d rather go straight through if I can, but I was just wondering whether splitting it on those crazy hot days was an issue. If I’m only doing it occasionally, and only then because I feel I need to, I think I’m okay. I just tell myself that on a day when it feels like 38C at 7am, I’m allowed to rest my sweaty bod for a few minutes :)

Thanks, everyone!

Oh ya! I’m not saying “Keep going until you pass out from heat exhaustion!”. Just that you’re not getting the maximum benefits. But, by all means, if you feel you need to rest, rest! But what I’d try and suggest is even just cut all the resistance out and keep pedaling!