Interval Training Workouts

- Bodyweight Workout Routines

Best Cardio Interval Training Workouts for Fat Loss: Part 2

Interval Training Workouts


By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Turbulence Training

If you don’t have variety in your program, you are more than likely to end up at a fat loss plateau soon rather than later. Variety is one of the keys to keeping that fat loss coming.

So not only should you have variety within your training week (i.e. alternate between two different interval training workouts, rather than just doing the same interval workout each time), but you should also change these workouts every 4 weeks.

So you need to change your training program every 4 weeks. To modify your interval training workouts, you can…

  1. switch exercise methods (and even use bodyweight exercises for intervals)
  2. increase or decrease the length of the interval (while decreasing or increasing the intensity, respectively)
  3. increase or decrease the number of intervals per workout
  4. increase or decrease the rest time between intervals

Interval Training Workouts Best Methods

First, let’s take a look at the interval methods. Here is my list of preferred ways to do your intervals, ranked in order from best to worst, based on my experiences…

  1. Sprinting outdoors (and hills might be the absolute best)
  2. Strongman movements (Farmer’s walks, tire flips, car pushing)
  3. Bodyweight interval circuits
  4. Treadmill running
  5. Stationary cycle (upright preferred)
  6. Stairclimber
  7. Rower
  8. Swimming (only works for competent swimmers)
  9. Elliptical & Crosstrainer machines

Okay, so how long should you do intervals and how the heck do you do bodyweight exercises as interval training workouts?

First, I stand by what I said in Part 1. There does not seem to be a “best” interval training program. But that is good because it allows us to use variety in our approach. (So perhaps the best interval training method is simply the one that changes every 4 weeks.)

Interval Training Workouts Interval Ranges

Interval recommendations have ranged from 15 seconds (from Muscle Media waaaay back in the late 90’s), to 5 minutes (these are known as aerobic intervals). So let’s take a look at each interval recommendation and all those in between.

15 seconds
The great thing about 15 second intervals is that you’ll be able to work at a very high rate (almost near your maximum power output), as long as you get adequate recovery between work intervals. The downside is that it is very difficult to do 15 second intervals on machines, because it takes a long time to “build up” and “bring down” the machine settings to the correct speed.

If you decide to use these short, high-intensity interval training workouts, you should do so only if you already have an above average level of fitness. Your rest interval should be at least 15 seconds long, and can be as long as 60 seconds. The longer you rest, the harder you will be able to exercise in each interval.

20 seconds on, 10 seconds off
This method is known as the Tabata protocol, after the Japanese scientist that published a study on this routine. It is very demanding (obviously), and while some trainers have suggested this is the best method for interval training workouts, I don’t think there is any proof that you will get better results.

Clearly, the pro’s with this method (as well as the 15 second intervals) is that you’ll get your workout done faster (provided you do the same number of intervals as any other workout). Again, it would be very difficult to perform this type of interval training on a machine, due to the time lag as you increase or decrease the settings. And finally, these too should only be performed by above average fitness levels.

30 seconds
The Turbulence Training interval training workouts tend to use a lot of 30 second intervals. Beginners will rest up to 90 seconds between intervals, while advanced fitness levels will rest 30-60 seconds. The longer (relative) rest allows you to work harder in each successive interval (i.e. you’ll almost be able to match your performance in the first interval with each following interval). Short rest intervals (as in the Tabata protocol) will lead to a dramatic drop-off in performance with each interval. You can easily do the 3-second intervals on any machine.

45 seconds
These intervals are proven for fat loss, in addition to being effective for many team sports (such as hockey, soccer, basketball, and rugby). I have used 45 second intervals extensively in both areas of training. Not only will these tax your muscles, they will also tax your will to complete each interval (if done at the right intensity). Use 45-90 seconds of recovery between intervals. Do 3-6 intervals per workout. Your fitness and fat loss will skyrocket and you will see how effective interval training workouts are.

60 second intervals
Similar to the 45 second intervals in benefits and toughness. Use 60-120 seconds of recovery between each.

120 second intervals
These are now officially aerobic intervals, and can be used for both fat loss and improving aerobic capacity for sports and running. A great way to achieve two fitness goals at once. Exercise for 2 minutes and then recover for 2 minutes. Repeat 6 times. These interval training workouts take longer (obviously), but can have a role in changing your body and improving your performance.

5 minute intervals
Same strategy as with the two minute intervals. This really increases your workout time, so these are only used with serious endurance athletes.

Beginner vs. Advanced interval training workouts

If you are thinking that these intervals all sound “too intense” for you, please don’t worry. Interval training is all relative. You don’t have to sprint for your life in each type of interval. Instead, just work at a slightly harder than normal pace. By the end of the interval, you should be getting tired, but you shouldn’t be gasping for air. Start conservatively and you will get the hang of it.

For example, if you regularly use level 5 on the stationary bike for 30 minutes continuously, you might try doing a 1 minute interval at level 7. Try that for an interval workout and let me know how it goes.

My favorite intervals for fat loss are between 30-60 seconds. These have been the staple intervals in my Turbulence Training workouts since the first workout was designed back in 2001. But again, I think you will get your best fat loss results if you vary your interval training workouts – just like you must vary your strength training workouts.

Interval Training Workouts are the key to fat loss success!

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Ways to Remain Safe While Achieving Your Fitness Goals

Any kind of quality fitness marketing guru will explain exactly why you need to utilize a professional health and fitness instructor to receive the most benefits from your overall health and fitness plan. Probably many people help to make things difficult in their pursuit of physical fitness by looking at pictures in magazines. Such publications feature people who are able to spend most of the day focusing on looking their best. Whether they are professional actors or models, the regular person may get unrealistic ideas about what they want. Emulating someone who has achieved something impressive is fine, but you also have to keep things in perspective. If you have to make comparisons, stay focused on comparing yourself to how you used to look and not on people in magazines and the media.

One valuable approach to remain interested in your training is cross-country fitness. You can do that so it complements your current routines, or you can simply mix things up. As a case in point, provided you work out in a gymnasium, you could merely make the choice of carrying out something in the outdoors or in your residence. Things are available that keep you energetic and healthy, apart from of the season, whether wintry or sizzling. Taxing diverse muscle groups and mixing things up won’t just aid you in preventing monotony, but will build up a greater whole-body thought to continuing robustness. People may perhaps gaze at the total scale of physical robustness and formulate a separation into two groupings. In attendance are clear-cut movements and regimens, then fitness activities following that. All things that inhabitants might execute as a sideline is enclosed in the final group. Joining a soccer club, rock climbing, hiking or cross country skiing are only a few superb examples of healthy actions. You could connect to a local club and have the benefit of educating yourself with a skill as you get in better shape, assuming you enjoy martial arts. Feeling as if you are ensnared forever in carrying out a single thing isn’t justified.

Anxiety and depression are two very detrimental conditions that can actually stop people from wanting to do anything at all. It is important that you gather the strength necessary to push yourself over the little hump and start exercising regularly. Anyone that suffers from anxiety or depression should call their family doctor and set an appointment immediately. Generally speaking, doctors will recommend a workout regimen for these problems. To give yourself a positive lift during the day, you need to exercise. This works because chemicals are released from the brain which help you in a positive way. For the most part, people will benefit by feeling better mentally and emotionally, along with improving their physical appearance.

Researchers are constantly updating what they know about fitness and the best ways to work out. That is only to the benefit of everybody, and those who are smart and wise will take the time to learn what is necessary and appropriate. The saying "information is power" applies to health and fitness as much as any other area of life.

Search out a competent bootcamp marketing professional with regard to far more advice.


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