ARTICLE - INTERVAL TRAINING written by Outside Fitness Consultant Oct 2009
The
advantages of Interval Training compared to continuous training are vast:
A)
Increased cardiovascular strength (fitness in general)
B)
More calories burnt
C)
Greater enjoyment
So it's better for you, it burners more calories and it's more enjoyable! Why isn't everyone doing it??
What is
interval training?
Interval training refers to two or more different levels of intensity.
Continuous training refers to training which is kept at the same level
of intensity for the duration of the exercise. Interval training allows
us to switch between intensity levels. There are all sorts of types
of interval training, the two most famous being the fartlex training
and tabata training but they are all based on the same principle of
changing the level of effort throughout a session.
How does
it work?
The general idea of interval training is to increase the level of effort
for a short period of time to level which can not be sustained for long.
For example if continuous training was set at 70% of MHR (maximum heart
rate) we would interval train by working at a higher level of say 85
- 95% for a minute, before allowing the heart rate to drop down to around
50-60%.
Who
is Interval Training for?
Everyone. There are no set rules for how hard or long the intervals
need to be set at, so interval training can be used on all levels of
level of fitness and experience. Interval training is bread and butter
for an professional athlete or anyone looking to increase their performance
in sport and/or their cardiac output and lactate tolerance.