Interval Training

The advantages of Interval Training compared to continuous training are vast:

A) Increased cardiovascular strength (fitness in general)

B) More calories burnt

C) Greater enjoyment

So it's better for you, it burners more calories and it's more enjoyable! Why isn't everyone doing it??

What is interval training?

Interval training refers to two or more different levels of intensity. Continuous training refers to training which is kept at the same level of intensity for the duration of the exercise. Interval training allows us to switch between intensity levels. There are all sorts of types of interval training, the two most famous being the fartlex training and tabata training but they are all based on the same principle of changing the level of effort throughout a session.

How does it work?

The general idea of interval training is to increase the level of effort for a short period of time to level which can not be sustained for long. For example if continuous training was set at 70% of MHR (maximum heart rate) we would interval train by working at a higher level of say 85 - 95% for a minute, before allowing the heart rate to drop down to around 50-60%.

Who is Interval Training for?

Everyone. There are no set rules for how hard or long the intervals need to be set at, so interval training can be used on all levels of level of fitness and experience. Interval training is bread and butter for an professional athlete or anyone looking to increase their performance in sport and/or their cardiac output and lactate tolerance.

I ran a video experiment with a gym instructor a few months ago where we tested 20 minutes of continuous training against 20 minutes interval training. See the video below: