What's The Best Cardio For Fat Loss?

Here's a question I get a lot: "What type of cardio should I be doing for fat loss?"

And the answer might surprise you... especially if you're a woman over 40.

For years, cardio has been shoved down our throats as the golden ticket to fat loss.We’ve been told:

• “Just burn more calories than you eat!”

• “If you’re sweating, it’s working!”

• “Do more, go harder, push through the pain!”

From Jazzercise and step aerobics in the ‘80s… to kickboxing, Zumba, and spin classes in the ‘90s and 2000s… to HIIT and bootcamps popping up everywhere in the last decade — cardio has always been the thing.

But here’s the truth no one talks about:

Cardio alone is not the best strategy for fat loss, especially in midlife.

This is when hormones, stress, sleep, and muscle loss all start playing a bigger role.

So What Is the Best Cardio?

The best cardio for fat loss in your 40s, 50s, and beyond is:

✅ Sustainable

✅ Supportive to your nervous system

✅ Balanced with strength training and recovery

That might look like:

• Daily walking (underrated yet incredibly effective)

• Short, intentional intervals (not overdone HIIT)

• Low-impact cardio like cycling, dancing, hiking — or anything you actually enjoy doing consistently

What to Stop Doing

🚫 Using cardio to “make up” for food choices

🚫 Thinking more sweat = more fat burn

🚫 Doing high-intensity workouts every day with no recovery

What to Start Doing

✔️ Prioritize movement that energizes, not depletes

✔️ Pair cardio with strength training to preserve muscle and boost metabolism

✔️ Honor rest and recovery — especially if stress or sleep is or becomes an issue

Bottom Line?

Cardio isn’t bad. But in menopause our approach needs to be smarter. It's not about doing longer and more intense workouts, it’s about doing what’s right for your changing body.

If you're ready to stop chasing the wrong workouts and start feeling better in your skin, I’d love to help. Book a free Fat Loss in Midlife Call with me and let's create a simple movement and nutrition plan that actually works for where you are now and where you want to go.

You don’t have to run yourself into the ground to get results.

You just need the right strategy — and someone in your corner.