If your primary goal is fat loss, there’s loads of research to prove it: Interval training is the way to go. It’s more interesting than traditional ‘steady-state’ cardio, it’s more effective for burning fat during and after your workout, and by nature, it’s also more intense – which means getting more done in less time. Here’s a little more detail about each one of these benefits:
1. Interval training vastly reduces boredom
Traditional steady state cardio training can become quite boring. Interval training offers more variety and excitement in your workout program.
For example, a steady-state cardio workout might consist of training on the elliptical machine at a medium pace for 30 to 45 min. An interval workout could be 10 sets of 30 seconds of kettlebell swings alternated with 30 seconds of active rest, or 10 30 second sprints alternated with 30 seconds of rest between each. These interval workouts are more interesting, faster paced, and keep you more engaged in the workout.
2. Interval training increases post-exercise energy expenditure (calories burned following exercise) more than steady-state exercise, which means that more fat is burned
After intense exercise, the body needs extra calories as it works to repair muscles, replace energy stores (i.e. carbohydrate) and restore the body to its normal state (e.g. reduce heart rate). As this can take many hours, you’ll keep burning more calories long after the workout is over. In fact, research shows that metabolic rate is higher for several hours following interval training compared to steady state exercise.
3. Interval training burns more calories
As an interval workout is performed at a higher intensity, you’re going to burn more calories with interval training than you would with traditional steady-state cardio. As an example, 30 minutes on an Elliptical machine using a steady state program will burn roughly 292 calories, whereas 30 minutes of intervals will burn approximately 584 calories!
You’ll also get a lot more work done in less time – so if you’re in a time crunch, you can burn as many calories in a shorter interval workout as you would in a less intense, more traditional cardio workout.
Interval training is, without a doubt, the best type of cardio for fat loss. It’s more interesting than steady-state exercise, and enables you to burn more fat during and after your workout. Incorporate this type of cardio training into your routine today for increased results!
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