The Importance of Interval Training

I've told my friends and clients for years that if you want to maximize your work-out you should use interval training.  We no longer hold on to the belief that you should work-out at a low intensity to burn fat.  The bottom line is burning calories.  The best way to do this is to incorporate interval training in your workouts.  Interval training is when you work hard for a short amount of time (i.e. 1-2 minutes) and then work at a slightly slower pace to recover (i.e. 2-4 minutes).  When you do this, you can work harder and push yourself more knowing it will only be for a brief period.  Then, you give your body a chance to recoup, and do it all over again.  So, if you are a new exerciser, and you want to incorporate interval training to your walk, here is an example of what you could do.  Start your walk with a brief warm-up (3-5 minutes).  Then, start your first interval by walking fast or jogging for 1 minute.  After that, you would walk at a slightly slower pace (don't stop!) for 2 minutes.  You would continue to do this for the duration of your walk, and end with a brief cool down of slower walking (3-5 minutes).  This is a great way to burn more calories and increase your aerobic capacity without having to push hard for the entire workout.  Go out and try it today!