Interval Training

No time to exercise? A recent study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology reveals that high intensive interval training is twice as effective as normal training and can cut an entire week of workout into 1 hour. "The research further shows that when compared to people on a normal exercise routine, like jogging, research has shown those doing interval training can double their endurance, improve their oxygen use and strength by more than 10%, and their speed by at least 5%.

According to the report, "intense bursts of activity are what the body needs to build stronger muscles. Traditional workouts lasting an hour or more simply don't push the body enough. This intense burst of energy help the body to convert one type of muscle fiber into another type that uses oxygen more efficiently and is capable of exercising a lot longer. ...This creates a higher metabolism for several hours afterward, which the body will bring down by burning fat and carbohydrates"

Ah so des and here we sotong kia have been telling people not to do too much interval training for fear of injuries.So it is good news for lazy bum like me. But is it really true?Can I have my cake and eat it as well? Does it mean the end of 3 hours long run?

Hell no, as in all things - everything in moderate and in a fair mix so if you are training for a marathon, the long slow distance run is still a necessity but if you are just training for a 100 metre track and field race, there really is no need to go and do 10km runs on a daily basis. And for those who are just keeping fit and perhaps loosing weight, a mixture of different type of exercises will make the weekly routine more interesting.

So by all means switch to some interval, like I going to do this evening, but just exercise some common sense as well!