The Wide World of Interval Training
I have previously discussed steady state cardio which I find to be very effective but even more effective when used in conjunction with interval training.
Interval training is simply pushing your body to a higher capacity for a short period of time, usually done repeatedly, I like to do at least 5 intervals.
Interval training not only significantly increases your metabolic burn for a long period of time after exercise ceases it also helps you achieve new levels of cardiovascular fitness buy pushing your body past previous maximums.
I find the added benefit that high intensity training also allows me to vary my workout a avoid the boredom associated with a steady state workout.
A friend of mine says that, "workouts are like girlfriends, you should have many of them.
" To break it down a little more on one end of interval training, and I will use running as an example but it can be applied to nearly any exercise.
You have short maximum intensity sprints followed by a walking cool down and repeated a prescribed number of times.
On the other hand you have fartlek running which would just be varying your running intensity during a steady state jog, this is usually free form with no stop watch checking or prescribed distance.
Hill running also fits well into interval training and focuses more on strength than cardiovascular fitness.
Hill training can be more difficult to translate to some other exercises like swimming but you get the idea.
Interval training can be the key to breaking past plateaus and achieving significant improvements.
I believe that intervals play a valuable roll in just about every exercise program.
Use them carefully and listen to your body.
Intervals demand recovery time and of course proper nutrition will allow you to maximize your returns from these grueling workouts.
Like any other workout program I advocate find a way to make these workouts easy to fit into your daily life.
I like to sprint with my dog, She whoops my butt, but she also makes it fun.
Playing sports also tricks you into doing intervals without even realizing it.
I credit interval training with personal gains that would have been virtually impossible without them.
Learn to use intervals and use them wisely and you will see a vast improvement.
Interval training is simply pushing your body to a higher capacity for a short period of time, usually done repeatedly, I like to do at least 5 intervals.
Interval training not only significantly increases your metabolic burn for a long period of time after exercise ceases it also helps you achieve new levels of cardiovascular fitness buy pushing your body past previous maximums.
I find the added benefit that high intensity training also allows me to vary my workout a avoid the boredom associated with a steady state workout.
A friend of mine says that, "workouts are like girlfriends, you should have many of them.
" To break it down a little more on one end of interval training, and I will use running as an example but it can be applied to nearly any exercise.
You have short maximum intensity sprints followed by a walking cool down and repeated a prescribed number of times.
On the other hand you have fartlek running which would just be varying your running intensity during a steady state jog, this is usually free form with no stop watch checking or prescribed distance.
Hill running also fits well into interval training and focuses more on strength than cardiovascular fitness.
Hill training can be more difficult to translate to some other exercises like swimming but you get the idea.
Interval training can be the key to breaking past plateaus and achieving significant improvements.
I believe that intervals play a valuable roll in just about every exercise program.
Use them carefully and listen to your body.
Intervals demand recovery time and of course proper nutrition will allow you to maximize your returns from these grueling workouts.
Like any other workout program I advocate find a way to make these workouts easy to fit into your daily life.
I like to sprint with my dog, She whoops my butt, but she also makes it fun.
Playing sports also tricks you into doing intervals without even realizing it.
I credit interval training with personal gains that would have been virtually impossible without them.
Learn to use intervals and use them wisely and you will see a vast improvement.