Interval training is a popular and effective way to improve your fitness and burn calories. It involves alternating between periods of high-intensity exercise and periods of rest or low-intensity exercise.
Incorporating interval training into your training plan
If you’re looking to incorporate interval training into your training plan, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Choose the right type of interval training
There are many different types of interval training, so it’s important to choose one that fits your fitness level and goals. Some popular types include:
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT): This involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. HIIT can be very effective for burning calories and improving cardiovascular health.
- Tabata: This is a type of HIIT that involves 20 seconds of high-intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a total of 4 minutes.
- Fartlek training: This involves alternating between periods of high-intensity exercise and periods of lower intensity exercise, with the intensity and duration of each interval varying.
- Start slowly
If you’re new to interval training, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. You should also make sure to warm up properly before starting your interval training, to reduce the risk of injury.
- Incorporate intervals into your existing workouts
One way to incorporate interval training into your training plan is to add intervals to your existing workouts. For example, you could alternate between running at a moderate pace and sprinting for short periods of time, or between cycling at a steady pace and cycling at a higher intensity.
- Mix it up
To keep your workouts interesting and challenging, it’s important to mix up your interval training routine. You can do this by changing the type of interval training you do, or by varying the length and intensity of your intervals.
- Listen to your body
Interval training can be intense, so it’s important to listen to your body and take rest days when you need them. It’s also important to fuel your body properly before and after your workouts, to ensure that you have enough energy to complete your intervals.
Incorporating interval training into your training plan can be a great way to improve your fitness and reach your fitness goals. By choosing the right type of interval training, starting slowly, incorporating intervals into your existing workouts, mixing it up, and listening to your body, you can create a sustainable and effective interval training routine. Make sure you also read – The importance of zone 2 training