Tired of the same old cardio session, lacking motivation to get out and exercise? Then why not do something different, try Interval Training.
Interval Training means working out for short, high-intensity periods followed by longer, lower intensity periods. These periods of higher and lower intensities are repeated several times to form a complete workout.
Intervals will help you to burn more calories, increase your speed, and get you working out for longer periods.
Interval Training is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. However, if you’re new to intervals then start easy and build up. After a 5 to 10 minute warm-up then try the following:
Repeat the following FIVE times
- 1 minute quick at 80% of your maximum heart rate (mhr). Increase the intensity of your workout. Your breathing should become heavy and conversation is possible in short sentences.
- 2 minutes easy at 65% of your mhr. Reduce the intensity at which you are working out. Your breathing remains difficult and conversation should be possible in sentences.
Intervals are a great way to train. They help you to avoid workout boredom, the session goes by quicker, they keep you focused, you burn more calories and are often more enjoyable.
Interval training can also help prevent the injuries often associated with repetitive endurance exercise. Not only that, higher intensities stimulate your metabolism far more AFTER the workouts than lower intensity training.