Everyone is always on the go and looking for the fastest way to accomplish something. Most of us have that desirable goal to lose that extra stubborn belly fat, but then come up with a list of reasons as to why we can’t do it. There’s the “I have no spare time.”; “It gets boring repeating the same thing over and over.”; or “Oh, this little bowl of ice cream won’t hurt me.” Now is the time to ditch those excuses and get down to business. Interval training can burn more calories, save more time, and improve aerobic health while not becoming monotonous.
Interval training involves alternating cardio workouts with short bursts of vigorous exercise (around 30 seconds to a minute) with shorter resting periods. The overall intensity is greater and can even cut a standard workout time by 20%. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 to 75 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. Shorter interval workouts prove to be just as effective as continuous cardio exercises, if not more effective.
Clinical Science also published a study that compares the effects of a multidisciplinary approach to interval training in overweight adolescents. They exercised twice a week for three months and found that interval training improved insulin sensitivity, BMI ratios, and even reduced cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents.
High-intensity exercises may present risks of cardiac events and orthopedic injury in some adults. Always consult a health care professional before intensifying an exercise routine. Call our professionals for more information on individual or group exercise plans.
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