I got feedback that my previous post did not explain what Interval Training is. I thought that most maybe know what interval training is, but may not be practising it enough. Hence, I was only trying to draw attention to it.

For the uninitiated, interval training in layman terms is alternating bouts of high exertion activity with low-intensity activities.

e.g. on a treadmill, say you start walking at 7 km/hr for three mins and then switch to a sprint at 10 km/hr for 3 mins and then swtich back to a walk of 7 km / hr. Hence, this way you alternate high-intensity workout with low-intensity ones. It is not necessary to keep the alternate periods so uniform …. you can make is as random as you want

As I said earlier, I am finding it very effective. The key is that you keep shocking your body into spending that extra energy. The best part about interval training for me is that I don’t burn myself out so quickly and am able to keep going for a sufficiently long period of time…few days back I stretched it to 40 mins of continuous cardio….initially was only doing upto 20 mins.

If you google on interval training, ofcourse you will get lot of info (i am just trying to give a first hand feedback on it)… this is from wikipedia below ……

Interval training is broadly defined as repetitions of high-speed/intensity work followed by periods of rest or low activity…….Interval training is a favorite of coaches because of its effectiveness in cardiovascular buildup and also its ability to make more well-rounded runners.

…. More generally, it can refer to any cardiovascular workout (e.g. stationary biking, running, rowing, etc.) that involves brief bouts at near-maximum exertion interspersed with periods of lower-intensity activity. One popular workout that incorporates this methodology is so-called “walk-back sprinting,” in which one sprints a short distance (anywhere from 100 to 800 meters), then changes directions and walks back to the starting point (the recovery period) to do it again. To add challenge to the workout, each of these sprints may start at a predetermined time interval, e.g. 200 meter sprint, walk back, and sprint again every 3 minutes. The time interval provides just enough recovery.

It is believed by many in the fitness industry that this method of training is more effective at inducing fat loss than simply training at a moderate intensity level for the same duration. This has been confirmed in at least two studies… provides the opportunity to increase one’s intensity without burning oneself out in a matter of minutes.

I am looking for more effective ways of training and building up my fitness. Comments and suggestions are welcome!

I have been doing cardio for over a month and half, but somehow the distances covered and calories burnt were seemingly not enough. Nor was my weight coming down (I am around 80kgs and am trying to get down to around 72 – 75 kgs, in order to get my BMI in the correct range; of-course the long term goal is that rippling six-pack abs).

I read about interval training and it really seems to be helping. Not only am I able to cover larger distances but also am burning many more calories! So i was trying to figure out an explanation as to why is interval training more effective – one reason that I could think of is that the intermittent cooling down, helps rejenuvate the body / conserve energy enabling sharper bursts of energy over long distances / times.

I am now running almost 5 kms burning close to 500 calories per session of cardio. Its working for me. So to all those trying hard to lose weight / having reached a weight plateau, interval training might be a good idea