Burn More Calories With Interval Training

Although interval training sounds like a complicated concept, it is really quite simple. When you participate in interval training, you are engaging in alternating bursts of intense physical activity with intervals of lighter physical activity.

For example, if you like to go walking you can incorporate short periods of jogging into your regular routine to experience interval training. Interval training helps you to improve your aerobic capacity, burn more calories with increased intensity and add interest to your regular workout routine without spending money on special equipment.

There are two basic approaches to interval training - the scientific approach and the casual (also known as fartlek, Swedish for "speed play") approach.

The scientific approach is when you enlist the assistance of a personal trainer or fitness professional to help you time the intensity of your intervals based on your target heart rate, the ability of your lungs and heart to deliver oxygen throughout your body and other relevant factors.

The fartlek approach is informal interval training where you determine the speed and length of each high intensity interval based on your feelings that day.

If you haven't exercised regularly or have a chronic health condition, discuss interval training with your doctor first. However, most people can achieve major fitness benefits and burn more calories by slowly incorporating interval training into their regular workout routine.