6 Reasons to Love Interval Training

There aren’t many shortcuts to a happy healthy life, unless you take into account dual air conditioning in cars – that concept alone has literally changed the outcome of many car trips, friendships and marriages. When it comes to your own health however, it’s no secret that just a little bit of exercise can make you feel great.

One sure fire technique we use to get endorphins pumping with our clients is interval training. The reason, interval training can help to dramatically increase the intensity of your workouts and speed the release of mood-boosting endorphins. It’s the kind of workout that literally keeps our clients happy.

Never tried it before? To put it simply, interval training consists of alternating periods of high and low intensity activity. One of our favourite interval training ratios is a 2:1 ratio of work. For example, alternating 40 seconds of activity with 20 seconds of rest.

Why we love interval training – and you should too

1. It’s super time efficient. Because you’re training at a high intensity, sessions only need to last 20-30 minutes. Even a quickfire 10 minute blast can have tremendous effects.
2. It’s more fun than running your brains out on a treadmill for an hour. Unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
3. You can use your bodyweight to increase intensity.
4. Interval or HIIT workouts increase your body’s natural production of human growth hormone, which has been shown to have anti-ageing benefits for your body inside and out.
5. High intensity workouts induce what’s called the EPOC effect (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). Put simply, your body will speed up its metabolism so you continue to burn calories for several hours after you’ve finished.
6. You’ll increase your number of fast-twitch muscle fibres, which will give you a lean, athletic look. Think of the body of an Olympic sprinter (fast twitch), as opposed to that of a marathon runner (slow twitch).

No time like the present. Try this easy bodyweight interval workout to reap the above benefits.

Complete 4 rounds of the 5 exercises below. Total time: 20 minutes.
Ratio: 2:1 – alternate 40 seconds of maximum intensity with 20 seconds of rest.

1. Bodyweight squat
2. Incline wall press-up
3. Alternating reverse lunge
4. Chair dip
5. Mountain climbers