Unlike regular cardiovascular activities where you start, keep going and finally stop, Interval activity is broken up into ‘efforts and recoveries’.
Efforts – a length of time or distance when you push your body.
Recoveries – (as it suggests) the time between efforts when the body has a chance to recover.
Due to these short and higher levels of effort, the body uses up stored energy found in the muscles. This can help prevent ‘Insulin resistance’ which can lead to type 2 diabetes. Post exercise other benefits can include improving your heart and lung health and keeping your metabolism higher for longer than a same pace walk.
For a beginner, after warming up for 5 mins, alternating between walking really quickly for a minute and walking slowly for minute, will be enough to challenge your body’s systems to create change.
For something a little more challenging use one of the local hills; repeat marching up it and then slowly walking down it.
As always what has been suggested is general information and doesn’t take into account an individuals limitations or needs. Seek a medical opinion to see if this exercise is appropriate for you.
Positive Change Personal Training- encouraging you to be active beyond the short term.
