Wednesday 29 April 2009

Just Say NO To Cardio! Fatburning Intervals Instead



Most researchers will agree that Interval Training is SO much more effective than long slow boring cardio for fatloss.

You can get your workouts done in half the time and burn far more calories long AFTER the workout finishes in comparison to regular cardio.

So why are SO many people STILL doing regular cardio?

You know the kind I mean right? the 20 mins on the stationery bike or treadmill keeping the intensity the same throughout.

You only have to set foot into a gym or healthclub these days to see the treadmills and cross-trainers all being pounded by frustrated members who haven't achieved fatloss yet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely knocking regular cardio. It's ok for some stamina and endurance improvements and let's be honest it's better than doing absolutely nothing,

but purely for fatloss?

Definitely not.

Performing interval training instead (either after your weights workout or on your day off) will not only skyrocket your stamina but will also speed up your fatloss massively in comparison to regular cardio.

So what is Interval Training?

Interval training basically means any kind of sprint or activity lasting 0-90 seconds followed by a period of easy exercise.

You don't have to workout in a gym for intervals to be effective. They can be done in the park, with a skipping rope,on your bike provided the right structure is there.

By the end of the interval, you should be getting tired, but you shouldn't be gasping for air. Start conservatively and you will get the hang of it.

I explain it better in the video below that I made when I was at the gym with one of my good buddies (He's holding the camera for me actually and we filmed this just before our workout) : )



Make sense?

So anyway below are some sample interval workouts you can use starting from today whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Interval Workout 1

5 minute warmup
then
90 seconds hard
followed by
60 seconds easy (or however long it takes to fully get your breath back)

Repeat above sequence x 4-6

Finish with 5 minute cooldown

Interval Workout 2

5 minute warmup
then
30 seconds hard
followed by 60 seconds easy (or however long it takes to get your breath back)
then 60 seconds hard
followed by 60 seconds easy
then 90 seconds hard
followed by 60 seconds easy

then back down to 60 then 30

Finish with 5 minute cooldown

I use all of these workouts (along with many others) with my private clients and, combined with a sound strength training and nutrition plan have gone on to see some great results.

For more free fatloss workouts you can go to my new network I'm building and see what you think

So do yourself a favor and just say no to cardio and perform fatburning intervals instead.

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