What is Interval Training?

Interval training is a fitness training practice which incorporates alternating sequences of high intensity exercise bursts and short recovery periods. This alternating sequence is repeated consistently throughout the interval training workout session. The best interval training workouts can do wonders for your stamina, speed, fitness level, and weight loss endeavors. However, as a newbie there are a few things that you must keep in mind before stepping into the demanding world of interval training: consult your health practitioner to ensure that you are fit enough to pursue interval training, always warm up before your workout, start gradually with longer recovery periods and shorter high intensity periods, stop as soon as you feel discomfort or pain, and always train on a flat surface to minimize the chances of sustaining injuries. Take a look at the best interval training workouts that will help you maximize your performance and fitness level in the most effective way!

The Best Interval Training Workouts # 1

Now that the question of ‘what is interval training?’ has been duly answered, you can focus on practicing excellent interval training workouts such as this one. Spend 3 to 5 minutes warming up by jogging. Limit the jogging to a low intensity pace, slowly increasing the pace as you approach 5 minutes. Then alternate between 1 minute high intensity bursts of speed, and 1 minute low intensity recovery periods. Repeat this 1 minute sequence six to eight times at least. Allocate 3 to 5 minutes to a cool down period (light, low intensity jogging) at the end of the workout.

The Best Interval Training Workouts # 2

This interval training workout is excellent for sporty, athletic individuals. It prepares the body for unpredictable changes in speed, intensity and duration. Begin the interval training workout with a 3 to 5 minute warm up jogging sequence. Then dive into the interval training workout by conducting 2 minutes of high intensity training followed by a 2 minute low intensity recovery phase. Repeat this sequence once. Then repeat a sequence of 30 second high intensity training followed by 30 seconds of low intensity activity four times. The final interval training hurdle consists of launching into 60 yard sprints followed by a 90 second resting period. This must be repeated six to ten times. Finish the interval training workout with a 3 to 5 minute cool down.

The Best Interval Training Workouts # 3

This interval training workout is often referred to as the pyramid workout. It starts with a 3 to 5 minute low intensity jogging warm up. The actual interval training begins in a gradually increasing pyramid-like structure. Start with 30 seconds of high intensity bursts of speed, followed by 1 minute of low intensity activity. Follow it up with 45 seconds of high intensity bursts of speed, followed by 1 minute of low intensity activity. Then 60 seconds of high intensity speed training, followed by 1 minute of low intensity activity. Peak at 90 seconds of high intensity training followed by 1 minute of low intensity activity. Systematically reduce the duration of the high intensity training by following up the peak time with a 60 second, a 45 second and finally a 30 second high intensity/low intensity alternating sequence. Finish the interval training workout with a 3 to 5 minute cool down.