Interval Fitness Training

Do you need a little weight loss boost without having to spend more time at the gym?  Try interval training.

What is Interval Training?

Interval training is just alternating bursts of intense exercise with intervals of light activity.  For example, when walking, add in short bursts of faster walking or jogging.  If you are a runner, alternate short bursts of sprinting and jogging.  You can use such things as light posts, mailboxes, or driveways as your interval markers.  So, you could jog 2 light posts, and then sprint 2 light posts, etc.

How Will Interval Training Help You?

First off, no matter what level of fitness you are in, interval training will help you.

• Interval fitness training will help you burn more calories, thus lose more weight.  The more intense you work out, the more calories you burn, even if you are only increasing your level of activity a few minutes at a time.
• You’ll bring variety to your workouts.  Instead of doing the same thing all the time, interval training helps mix it up.  And, it brings a little extra challenge to your workouts.
• You’ll improve your cardiovascular endurance.  The more you start incorporating interval training into your workouts, the longer you’ll be able to exercise the next time.

Some Examples of Interval Fitness Training

• Walking/Faster walking (outside or treadmill)
• Walking/Jogging  (outside or treadmill)
• Slow jog/Running  (outside or treadmill)
• Running/Sprinting (outside or treadmill)
• Walk up stairs/Run up stairs  (time it-walk up the stairs for 30 seconds, then run up for 30 seconds)
• Slow jump rope/Speed up jump rope  (time it-slower speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed for 30 seconds)
• Decrease/Increase speed and ramps on the elliptical trainer