Beat Cardio Boredom: Mix It Up!
Now before you get excited that all you have to do is 30-minutes of interval cardio training to get maximum results to reach your fitness goal, remember cardio is only a part of the whole picture. Interval cardio training is just a part of what I found helpful for myself and my clients looking for maximum results in a minimal amount of time along with resistance training. Whether you’re someone who is just getting started into a workout program or you’re a seasoned exerciser, one thing that you should consider paying attention to is the benefits of interval cardio training.
Many people first start out with cardio training when getting into fitness since it is a relatively simple and basic exercise to perform. You simply pick your cardio machine of choice and have at it – the treadmill being the most popular.
As time wears on, you may find that these workout sessions aren’t quite bringing you the results that you had hoped for. Or you may be finding that you’re growing increasingly bored with the same old routine over and over again. One time or another we can relate to the moment of simply going on “auto-pilot” or “cruise control” when using a cardio machine. There is no challenge to the body, mind, and spirit, so you begin to lose interest. When that happens, it’s time to shake things up and introduce cardio interval training into your approach.
Interval training, where you alternate between alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of lighter activity offers numerous benefits that you should be aware of. Here’s a quick run-down so you can see for yourself all this has to offer.
Boost To The Metabolic Rate
The very first reason, and likely the one most people will be interested in, is the fact that interval training will provide a very substantial boost to the metabolism. Since you’re forcing the body to work at such a high-intensity level, after you finish this workout your body is going to keep burning calories off at an elevated pace for hours to come. Since fat loss comes down to total calories burned over the course of the day versus total calories consumed, this is going to push your progress really along.
Increased Fitness Level
Second, the next big benefit that interval workouts have to offer is that they will do a much better job at taking your fitness level up a notch. When you work at such high-intensity levels with interval training, you’re going to see dramatic improvements in your body’s ability to utilize oxygen throughout exercise and won’t be so quick to fatigue either. Given enough time with consistent interval training, you’ll find you’re not nearly as fatigued as you go about other daily activities. Plus, if you happen to participate in any sports, it will also help to transfer over and elevate your performance there.
Higher Calorie Burn During The Session
The next big benefit that interval training has to offer over straight, moderate paced cardio such as 30 minutes of walking is that it will provide you with a much higher overall calorie burn. The higher the intensity that you exercise, the more calories your body is going to expend completing the activity, therefore, the greater your total daily calorie deficit. If weight loss is a goal, this type of anaerobic routine can help prevent hitting a plateau while supported with a well-balanced nutrient dense diet.
There are different types of interval cardio training programs that can work with various fitness levels. For example, high-intensity interval training, or HIIT is an enhanced form of interval training with alternating periods of short intense anaerobic exercise with less-intense recovery periods. There are HIIT programs that can be adjusted for a beginner up to an advanced fitness level.
So now not only are you going to burn more after completing interval training in the hours that follow but you’re also burning more calories while doing the workout session as well.
Low Levels Of Boredom
Finally, last but not least, interval training is a great boredom-killer. Since you’re constantly adjusting speeds and working so hard and then relaxing, the sessions will pass by without you even realizing it. For example, cycling, jump rope, kettlebells, TRX, and sprint exercises can be turned into a great routine. The goal is that any exercise that utilizes the largest muscle groups in the body can provide beneficial effects such as burning more calories, while also improving aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
Overall, you’ll be in and out of the gym in no time, plus you will find that you stick to your interval cardio workouts because they are more challenging and interesting. Since adherence is vital to the overall success to achieving a fitness goal, this is one thing that you don’t want to overlook.
Final Thoughts
So now you know everything you need to know about the benefits of interval cardio training. If you’re tired of not seeing the results from being on “cruise control” with your cardio program, consider taking the intensity up a notch and adding some intervals to the mix. You will not regret it!
