Exercise Information

Interval Training


Are you in an exercise rut? Do you want to kick your fitness level up a notch and increase your endurance? Would you like to add more intensity to you workout? Interval training is a good way to achieve all of these goals in a safe and systematic manner.

Interval training is simply a matter of alternating high intensity exercise and low intensity exercise. It allows one to get the benefits of the high intensity work while giving the body some rest time. It allows one to extend a workout time period and build endurance gradually.

Running on a flat surface burns calories and gives your heart and lungs a great cardiovascular workout. Running up hill challenges your muscles, heart, and lungs, burning more calories and providing additional toning. But taking a 30 minute run up hill or on a steeply inclined treadmill would quickly exhaust most of us, or likely force us to stop early. However, running up hill then back down, or up hill then on flat ground would allow for high intensity work counter balanced by intervals of slower periods of active recovery. Interval training burns more calories and pumps more blood than continuous lower intensity exercise because it includes intervals of energy and oxygen-hungry work.

Because interval training burns a lot of calories and provides good muscle work, it may help you save time. A pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of bricks. Likewise, running one mile burns the same number of calories as walking one mile. But walking one mile takes a lot more time. If your goal is calorie burning and toning, and you are short on time, then interval training does more, faster. Just remember that improving cardiovascular health requires aerobic exercise of 30 - 60 minutes, so don't make all of your workouts quickies, save those for when you're in a rush.
Interval training can also be helpful if your goal is to move yourself up to the next level of endurance and fitness. Maybe you have been trying to start a running program, but can't seem to maintain such a demanding exercise. Interval training is, in fact, one of the most effective ways to train the body. Marathoners commonly use this method to train for an up-coming race. A good program is to run for 4 minutes then walk at a good clip for 1 minute, or do a 3/2 interval. Your body will work hard then rest (while remaining active), work hard then rest. Your heart, lungs and muscles will make the transition to running, running farther, or running faster in a safe and productive manner.

There are a lot of ways to add intervals to your workout. If you are already a runner add hills or speed segments. If aerobics classes are your genre, add explosive moves like jumps or sprints. Include segments of speed walking in your normal walking routine or take the incline of your treadmill up a little higher at timed intervals.

Interval training is productive and can add excitement to your ho-hum exercise routine. Doing interval work in place of your normal routine, once a month, once a week, or once a day, is a good and effective plan. E-mail me if you need suggestions on how to intensify, endure and enjoy. You'll be glad you did.

Molly Setnick graduated from Baylor University with a BS in Health/Fitness Studies. She is certified as a Physical Fitness Specialist through The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas and is AFAA certified to teach aerobics. She co-writes a weekly column for the Texas Jewish Post with Jessica Setnick, MS, RD/LD called "Making Fitness Fit". She can be reached at www.FitInFitness.com.

Copyright © 2004 Molly Setnick. Permission is granted to reprint this article in non-commercial publications so long as the bio paragraph and this notice is included. All other rights reserved. Inquiries may be made at www.FitInFitness.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Chosun Ilbo

China Conducts Military Exercise in South China Sea
Voice of America
China says it has held a large scale military exercise in the South China Sea that coincided with drills in the Sea of Japan by the United States and South ...
US-South Korea naval exercise completed amid Pyongyang tensionJane's
China naval drill in South China Sea: state mediaAFP
S. Korea to Conduct Anti-sub Exercise in Yellow SeaCRIENGLISH.com
The Korea Herald -Xinhua -Korea Times
all 264 news articles »


Milk Mustache Tour Encourages Kids to Exercise
OzarksFirst.com (blog)
The tour is encouraging family exercise and actiity and is partnering with the NFL and National Dairy Council's Fuel Up To Play 60 program and the ...

and more »


CBC.ca

Is Chelsea Clinton taking her pre-wedding exercise regime too far?
Daily Mail
But Chelsea Clinton is possibly going overboard with her pre-wedding exercise regime, having been spotted going to the gym avidly over the past week in an ...
Chelsea Clinton's Amazing Plastic Surgery TransformationTheImproper.com
Chelsea Clinton's stunning wedding makeover: Weight loss & plastic surgeryExaminer.com

all 3,383 news articles »


Regional task force plans water rescue exercise near Blawnox
Tarentum Valley News Dispatch
Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company water rescue unit will help host Allegheny County's first large-scale water rescue exercise for the Region 13 Homeland ...

and more »


msnbc.com

Low-Carb Diet, Exercise Help Drew Carey Drop 80 Pounds And Diabetes Medications
CarbWire.com
It's no real secret about how most of Hollywood gets themselves into shape when they have an important movie role coming up that requires them to shed the ...
Slimmer Drew Carey says he 'was sick of being fat'Orlando Sentinel (blog)
Drew Carey Drops 80lbs. After Getting Sick Of Being FatPopular Fidelity (blog)
Drew Carey shows off his 70-pound weight lossExaminer.com
Starpulse.com -Entertainment Weekly -TV Guide
all 152 news articles »


Loughborough scientists test a new exercise regime
BBC News
Scientists in Loughborough are developing a new exercise regime which could reduce the chance of broken bones in older people. The aim is to see if hopping ...



Chip Chick

Chip Chick's Guide to Getting in Shape with Gadgets and Apps
Chip Chick
With all of these apps and workout companions, you can exercise like a pro and achieve the summer bod you've always wanted, perhaps just in time for Fall. ...

and more »


shropshirestar.com

Alarm warning over fire exercise
BBC News
One in five smoke detectors checked after house fires was not working, Shropshire's fire service says. The figures were revealed as the service staged a ...
Mock fire in Donnington shows need for smoke alarmsBBC News

all 3 news articles »


A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours
Lifehacker
Small lengths of exercise produce long lengths of boosted creativity. Many people who exercise attribute the change in scenery to their creative ...

and more »


Reuters India

U.S. Finally Reacts to North Korean Sinking of Korean Ship
PR Newswire (press release)
"This military exercise with Korean forces involved a coordinated and integrated application of both offensive and defensive forces that are required to ...
US, S.Korea Commanders Pleased as Joint Military Exercise EndsThe Chosun Ilbo
China reacts to joint drill with its own exerciseJoongAng Daily
N.Korea holds more talks with US military on ship sinkingAFP
The Epoch Times -Arirang News -Appleton Post Crescent
all 504 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006