7 Tips To Improve Your Interval Training

Interval training is well known amongst athletes and sports trainers as one the best methods of building both muscle and fitness quickly. It is much faster than long periods of slow cardio, and the results it can produce can be acquired without the time-lag.

However, in order to achieve great results, either in your fitness or physique goals, there are a number of important principles to observe with interval training.

The following are our seven tips for successful interval training.

A goal with each training session

You need to set up a goal for each interval training session. When you have a goal (such as a time or number of intervals), you’ll find the process is much easier as it has a structure and more importantly, a target to achieve. You also know where you are in relation to your objective.

Focus on interval training for a while

If you really want to see results from your interval training, then you need to dedicate yourself to this form of training for a certain time period. It could be one month or six months.

More time is better, as you will gradually see your rate of improvement increasing.

If you make interval training the most critical part of your training programme, and do it above all other forms, you are much more likely to succeed with your goal.

Warm up first

This is very good advice, but it is even more important with interval training. Because interval training can be more demanding than other forms of exercise, you need to prepare well to protect your joints and muscles from possible injury.

Schedule your intervals

Know the exact order of what is going to take place and when. The more planning you do before training, the better results you will see.

Use active recovery between interval sprints

As interval training is very intense, it can seem logical to rest between sprints, but it is often much better to stay active. Even a low intensity pace will help with recovery, as it will keep your heart rate elevated and increase your oxygen intake. This will all help you to reach a higher VO2 max, and to gain better strength and stamina results.

Always cool down afterward

A short cool down after your training session is always recommended. If you are serious about reaching your goals then you need to train intelligently, and this includes the post-recovery aspect of your fitness programme.

If you simply stop and take a shower, you will tend to increase the stiffness and soreness of your muscles. A little cool down and stretch routine will really help with faster recovery.

Track your progress

Keeping a journal, or some form of record will increase your rate of success. It will also provide motivation on the days that you feel like skipping a workout.

Progress charts and journal entries are a really important aspect of interval training and will help to keep you motivated when the going starts to get tough!.

Summary

In summary, if you use these seven tips helpful tips to plan and execute your interval training routines, you will see a significant increase in speed, power and strength. Interval training is something that can be part of any training programme, as it will offer fast, intense workouts and better results.

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