What Is Interval Training All About?
If you have reached a point in your exercise
routine where you feel that you have to step up your game and that your
endurance level has to be taken a step further then you can try out interval
training. This is a good way of
achieving your fitness goals while working out in a systematic and safe manner.
Interval training can be defined as a style of training wherein
the individual alternates intense routine with light exercise moves. This
allows the bodies to benefit from high intensity workout while providing the
body with time to recuperate sufficiently in between. Hence, in this way, one
can stretch the duration of one’s exercise regime and build up one’s endurance
in a gradual manner.
Running on a flat terrain is an effective cardiovascular workout, but if
you want to challenge your body then you should run up-hill or on an inclined
terrain as it will help to burn more calories. However, it is not possible for anyone
to run uphill for thirty minutes straight, but if one were to do so followed by
downhill and then on a flat terrain then it would allow one to balance the
workout by giving the body some active recovery time. This would facilitate
faster burning of increased number of calories while continuously maintaining
the surge of blood in one’s body with low intensity exercise.
Following interval training on a regular basis can actually help you save time because it
can burn a lot of calories while providing an intense workout to the muscles.
While walking for one mile and running for the same distance would burn the
same amount of calories, it is always the latter which is time saving. Hence if
you want to tone your body and burn a lot of calories simultaneously then you
should opt for interval training.
Likewise, in order to improve your cardiovascular health you need at least
thirty minutes or an hour’s training without shaving down all your workout
moves.
Such training is the key to advancing to the next level of
fitness and endurance. If you have tried out a new program but can’t keep up
with it because it is too intense and demanding for you then you can rely on interval training to train your body. In fact this method is
often used by long-distance runners in order to train themselves for an
upcoming race. It gives your body time to work out hard and then rest for a
while. It is this transition from intense workout to light workout and then
back to intense workout that makes all the difference.
You can choose from among different ways to add intervals to your workout.
For instance, speed segments or uphill running can be added to regular jogging,
explosive moves like sprints or jumps can be added to aerobic exercises and so
on. In fact even when you are walking normally, you can always add speed
walking in between or incline your treadmill when you are working out.
Apart from being productive,
interval training also spices up a boring exercise routine. You
can easily incorporate it at least once a week, month or even a day and be able
to feel the difference since it is extremely effective.
