Try this interval routine to take your fitness to the next level
At some point in time, every person is going to need to step up their exercise routine from its current intensity in order to continue to see results, get stronger and achieve overall health.
You may have heard of high intensity interval training (HIIT). If not, here's the break down. HIIT workouts consist of bursts of high intensity activity combined with a period of lower intensity. These intervals can be completed in many forms: walking, jogging or running outside or on the treadmill; on the elliptical, stair climber or bicycle at the gym (or your favorite cardio machine); or even in the pool.
Benefits of interval training
This type of workout pushes your body to perform at a greater level of intensity and is an excellent way to improve your endurance and speed. It also produces excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), which is an increase in your body's oxygen consumption and subsequently, your metabolism after strenuous activity. It's your body working to restore itself to your pre-exercise state of temperature, heart rate and breathing—and it makes you a fat burning machine. Talk about an after burn!
So today we are sharing an interval workout that will take your exercise routine to the next level. This workout can and should be adjusted to your current level of fitness and comfort.
The workout
Warm-up: 5 minute walk or slow pace on your machine of choice.
Find a challenging setting: Adjust the speed, incline and/or resistance until you find a setting that is challenging and that you can only maintain for one minute. After a full minute you should feel like you just sprinted to catch the bus.
1 minute work and 2 minutes recovery: After a minute of going all out at your preferred setting (the work interval), slow down for two minutes (the recovery interval). Each person's recovery interval will vary based on their level of fitness but aim for a walk or slow jog pace; you should feel ready to go full force again after two minutes of recovery. Aim to complete 5-8 intervals of 1 minute work and 2 minutes rest.
Cool down: 10 minutes at a slow pace, and get a good all-over body stretch when you're finished.
There, you've done it! Have fun with this one—work to your personal level of challenge and enjoy seeing your results improve each week.
At some point in time, every person is going to need to step up their exercise routine from its current intensity in order to continue to see results, get stronger and achieve overall health.
You may have heard of high intensity interval training (HIIT). If not, here's the break down. HIIT workouts consist of bursts of high intensity activity combined with a period of lower intensity. These intervals can be completed in many forms: walking, jogging or running outside or on the treadmill; on the elliptical, stair climber or bicycle at the gym (or your favorite cardio machine); or even in the pool.
Benefits of interval training
This type of workout pushes your body to perform at a greater level of intensity and is an excellent way to improve your endurance and speed. It also produces excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), which is an increase in your body's oxygen consumption and subsequently, your metabolism after strenuous activity. It's your body working to restore itself to your pre-exercise state of temperature, heart rate and breathing—and it makes you a fat burning machine. Talk about an after burn!
So today we are sharing an interval workout that will take your exercise routine to the next level. This workout can and should be adjusted to your current level of fitness and comfort.
The workout
Warm-up: 5 minute walk or slow pace on your machine of choice.
Find a challenging setting: Adjust the speed, incline and/or resistance until you find a setting that is challenging and that you can only maintain for one minute. After a full minute you should feel like you just sprinted to catch the bus.
1 minute work and 2 minutes recovery: After a minute of going all out at your preferred setting (the work interval), slow down for two minutes (the recovery interval). Each person's recovery interval will vary based on their level of fitness but aim for a walk or slow jog pace; you should feel ready to go full force again after two minutes of recovery. Aim to complete 5-8 intervals of 1 minute work and 2 minutes rest.
Cool down: 10 minutes at a slow pace, and get a good all-over body stretch when you're finished.
There, you've done it! Have fun with this one—work to your personal level of challenge and enjoy seeing your results improve each week.
