Look Thinner and Feel Better By Christmas with Interval Training!!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to get serious! Just think...you could be the one showing up at Christmas 5-7 pounds lighter than you were when everyone saw you at Thanksgiving!

I was talking on the phone to a new client and she asked me 'What is circuit or interval training?' What a perfect question!

Interval training involves alternating high intensity exercise with recovery periods or active recovery (low intensity). Ratio is adjustable according to relative level of fitness and comfort.

How do I set up interval training?
Time is measured periods of work followed by measured periods of rests. An example would be 1 minute of high intensity work (such as a sprint), followed by 2 minutes of low intensity exercise 9e.g. walking/strengthening) and alternating that several times for 15-30 minutes.

Distance is measured distances of work followed by measured distances of rest. Example would be high intensity work (sprint) for one block, followed by low intensity (jogging/strengthening) for 2 blocks for 15-30 minutes.

What are the benefits of interval training?
The great thing about strength training and intervals for fast weight loss is 'efficiency.' Because you are working harder, the signal to your body to change is stronger. You cut time when you increase intensity and you burn fat faster.

Benefit #1: Even if caloric expenditure during exercise is equal, higher intensity exercise rather than continuous aerobic activity, may further aid weight loss due to an acute increase in energy expenditure up to 24 hours following exercise.

Benefit #2: These findings have been confirmed by researchers from the University of Alabama, who showed that 24-hour energy expenditure was 160 calories greater in subjects performing high-intensity interval training rather than continuous exercise.

Benefit #3: The key to fast weight loss and breaking through plateaus is shifting to a slightly higher intensity in order to cut time from your workout. But the workout also goes faster, and much more importantly, you will get more results and better fitness from these methods.

Benefit #4: KEY idea: 'weight loss' = 'FAT loss' with interval training. There are some workouts that will cause you to lose both fat and muscle tissues. Losing muscle tissue is not a good things as muscle will give you that desirable shape and muscle itself will burn fat for you even at rest.

Benefit #5: You only need three hard fat burning workouts per week. You don't have to be in the gym six days per week.

Benefit #6: On your off days, it's important to stay active for at least 30 minutes, but these days should be unstructured and revolve about being active with your friends, family, or hobbies. Think of them as fat burning, stress reducing activity days!

Almost all of our programs are structured around interval training- it's fun, fast, efficient, and effective! So when you come to class plan on applying your new found interval training knowledge! Enroll in our programs today via our Contact Us form at www.habit4health.com