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Interval Training Boosts Fat Loss and Saves Time

20th February, 2008 - Posted by healthy - No Comments

Interval training has gained a lot of attention as a better option than standard cardiovascular activity. It works by alternating between periods of heavy activity and active rest. A popular interval workout consists of using a treadmill and walking or running at a fast pace for a couple of minutes and then "resting" at a lower speed. This process is generally repeated enough times to complete a 20 to 30 minute workout.

Other forms of interval training combine cardio and strength training into one workout. Sometimes this is done in a circuit fashion with steps or mats used for cardio in between lifting weights. A minute or two is spent on one exercise and then it’s time to move quickly on to the next. Many gyms offer a setup like this for busy people who don’t have the time for traditional workouts. Such a circuit usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.

In the following article, Craig Ballantyne discusses how intervals are perfect for busy parents and professionals.

Fat Burning Exercise Tips for Busy Parents & Professionals

The great thing about strength training and intervals for fat burning is "efficiency". Because you are working harder, the signal to your body to change is stronger. You cut time when you increase intensity and you burn fat faster.

Now don’t worry, I won’t be asking you to do hill sprints tomorrow if you aren’t exercising today. For a beginner, we just do some slightly faster than normal walking intervals. For intermediate fitness levels, we’ll pick up the pace about 20% compared to their normal cardio levels, but again, the work periods are much shorter.

The key is, you must shift to a slightly higher intensity in order to cut time from your workout. But the workout also goes faster, and much more importantly, you will get more results and better fitness from these methods.

It’s easy to do these workouts first thing in the AM, at lunch, or after the kids go to bed. Plus, you can get a great workout at home with only a bench, dumbbells, and an exercise ball. You don’t need fancy machines or an expensive gym membership.

And another bonus, you only need three hard fat burning workouts per week. You don’t have to be in the gym six days per week.

On your off days, it’s important to stay active for at least 30 minutes, but these days should be unstructured and revolve around being active with your family or hobbies. Don’t think of them as workout days, think of them as fat burning, stress reducing activity days.

About the Author: Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit Turbulence Training for Fat Loss.

Click here now and you can be on your way to incredible fat loss within the next few minutes.