Why Interval Training for Weight Loss Works So Well

Article by gabbi525 (17,097 pts ) , published Oct 31, 2009

Why does interval training for weight loss work so well? This article will help you understand why interval training is a good bet if you're trying to lose those extra pounds.

Why Interval Training?

Interval training for weight loss is very effective, as a matter of fact it's one of the best choices if you're looking to shed some pounds. Why? Because interval training burns more calories than steady paced exercise of the same length of duration. It also keeps your body guessing, since you're always changing the intensity of the workout. This keeps your body burning fat, and helps you avoid hitting a weight loss plateau. Interval training is simply taking the cardio or strength training workout that you currently do, and adding short periods of higher intensity exercise throughout the workout.

You can vary the length of the workout, the intensity, or the number of intervals in order to increase the intensity of your interval training workout. Interval training for weight loss should include several high intensity intervals with short rest periods in between. To burn a significant number of calories, your workout should be at 30 minutes to an hour in length. You should do your interval training workout 3-5 times per week. Increase the intensity or number of intervals slowly over time. You'll burn fat and be less likely to hit a plateau.

What Kind of Exercise Can Be Intervals?

You can adapt most forms of exercise to intervals. Cardiovascular exercises of most types can become intervals, but so can strength training programs. For example, if you are lifting free weights for strength training purposes, you can make this workout a fat burning interval training for weight loss workout. Simply add periods of heavier weights with less resting periods between the sets of exercises. You could vary the weight used, the length of the workout, and the number of repetitions as well. Vary these higher intensity segments with short rest periods. Change the intervals around frequently, to further shock the body into burning more calories.

If you want to burn fat with exercise, you won't regret trying interval training. It's one of the most effective ways to lose weight through exercise.