Well, interval training is one that involves the use of different exercises in your total workout regime. Definitely, treadmill running makes a large part of the whole workout process, with the involvement of other useful exercises. The only purpose of this is to introduce fun and excitement while you are burning out that excess fat.
Usually, interval training is a part of your treadmill workout when you are practicing at home. The reason is that, being at home, sometimes you feel boredom and find your routine mundane. Your exercising pattern should be such that will keep your interest alive and will use all your time effectively.
Your workout programs should encourage you with new ways in your treadmill exercising. The other exercise that you can involve in your treadmill workout is the use of dumbbells. Dumbbell training should depend on your fitness level. Remember the fact, the more muscle activity you bring in your treadmill exercising, the more weight you will loose easily.
You can also involve skipping while taking a few minutes break from your treadmill running. And if you are a music lover, you can shake yourself a little bit on your favorite sound tracks with the help of aerobics movement. By adding weight to your treadmill walking, the amount of energy consumed in the same time will be more, thus burning more calories.
Your exercising should begin by a warm up exercising of five minutes on the treadmill itself. Start with moving your arms and shoulders first. This will help to loosen them.
Some of the common workout programs present in the treadmills are:
The Hill: This is a good workout program for your heart. The set of programs that are included in it are more difficult than the others. The programs are divided into two broad categories of hills and valleys. So while beginning, start the first hill at 70%, then gradually increase it to 75% and then eventually to 80% . When exercising on the valley's the level should be at 65%.
Random Choice Program: This workout program will allow you choose the whole of your workout process. This will include things like speed and the level of running.
The Cardio Workouts: In this workout program, you can adjust the inclination of the treadmill to your heart rate. The benefit of this workout program on treadmill is that you will feel that you are climbing up a real hill. This type of workout is extremely good for your cardiovascular system.
Fat Burn Workout: It is a light workout regime. With it you can adjust the inclination while keeping the heart rate at 65%. This type of workout involves the increase in the angle of running and that will amount to more burning of calories.
I usually don't use the word "cardio" because I find it to be misleading. I like to think of this type of training as Energy System training. By this I mean improving the way your body uses the nutrients to fuel your strenuous physical activity. Since this process relies mostly on the heart and lungs that is what most people focus on.
But the fact is, an activity that gets your heart pumping and increases your breathing rate is a "cardio" exercise. So, doing bodyweight intervals at a fast pace is also a "cardio" workout when done properly. I would like to stress than doing bodyweight intervals made up of a wide variety of bodyweight exercises is better for improving the heart and lugs, eliminating ugly fat and building a muscular body.
What Is Bodyweight Interval Training?
One way to perform this type of workout is to pick 3-4 bodyweight only exercises and perform 10 reps of each exercise back to back as a circuit. Don't take any breaks between exercises. Keep going for a specific period of time... say 10-15 minutes. Sounds simple, right?
Here is what is going on. You should pick the bodyweight exercises so that your entire body is stressed. So, an upper body exercise, lower body and core. As you go through the workout, your entire body comes into play (instead or just your legs like running or biking).
While you are doing this full body bodyweight interval training workout, your heart and lungs are going to start working hard. The muscles all over your body start screaming for nutrients, and your lungs need more oxygen and your heart needs to deliver this oxygen and other nutrients. The entire system that delivers energy is stressed... and that is what has to happen for improvements to be made.
I think you'll find, as I have, that bodyweight interval training is better at increasing endurance for activities done in the real world. Your body makes specific changes according to the specific demand placed upon it. So when you run, you get better at running. Unfortunately, when you do other activities you'll find you are ill prepared. Using a series of bodyweight exercises trains not only every muscle in your body... but your heart and lungs as well.
Instead of your next boring cardio session, try bodyweight interval training instead. It will not only be more fun, but more effective at helping you increase heart and lung power, burn fat and build an attractive body. Bu be forewarned, you are not going to be able to watch TV or read a magazine while doing this workout!
Both Ashish Jain & Eddie Lomax are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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