HIIT Cardio Versus Fartlek Training

HIIT cardio is the new craze sweeping across gymnasiums in Europe and North America - the reason for this... it's fast, efficient and it works!

High intensity interval training is something that athletes and runners in particular have been well aware of for a long time now. Fartlek training, translated from Swedish is 'speed play' and this has been a popular method of fitness training for runners for a long time and one method that has been shown to burn more fat than steady paced running. Fartlek training mixes slow paced running with high paced intervals of running, one example that most people who have ever played Football will be familiar with is jogging the length of the pitch, sprinting the width, jogging the length and then sprinting the width again.

Although Fartlek training is still a great method of physical training, the Tabatha protocol of HIIT shone a light on the possibility of condensing a workout dramatically without taking away any of the benefits. The problem with the Tabatha protocol of high intensity interval training is that it sounds false; no one ever really believes that a 4 minute workout can strip fat and although the 8 circuits that compromise the Tabatha method are extremely difficult, athletes often tend to feel they have cheated themselves leaving the gym after 4 minutes. On way in which body builders chose to incorporate the Tabatha protocol of HIIT Cardio to their sessions was to blast one 4 minutes session either side of the normal body building routine. This tends to be a very popular way of using HIIT without feeling you have cheated yourself.

The Tabatha protocol will work for anyone using it. What we all have to keep in mind is that time spent in the gym is not in direct correlation to results gained in the gym. Always keep in mind the famous saying 'you can train hard or you can train long, you can't do both'. A great example of this is the direct comparison of the traditional one hour treadmill session for fat burning at a slow steady pace versus the very popular and newly found 30 sets in 20 minutes Kettlebell Workouts. Studies show that not only are more calories burnt in the actual training session of the shorter period of activity, but participants display greater muscular definition, lower body fat and far greater fitness levels. This is just one way in which training harder for shorter periods of time is proven to be more beneficial.

Often you will hear about Boxers overtraining for a fight and not feeling fresh when the big night arrives which can have devastating effects, think of Amir Khan in his most recent outing against Danny Garcia. He was originally primed to a fight a few months earlier before Lamont Peterson was banned for taking illegal substances. After being stopped in 4 rounds only a couple of months after peaking for a fight that never happened, a lot of pundits and coaches around the world attributed this to over training. There are others such as the never outspoken Chris Eubank Senior who claims over training is a myth and a state of mind and it is more about becoming stale when training which the biggest worry is. Whilst this may be the case with Boxers, there is a lot of scientific evidence in body building as to how overtraining can halt results altogether. For instance studies have shown time and time again that Bicep progress is halted by over training and in fact as soon as the Bicep is over worked the muscle shuts down and no growth or repair will occur. In addition to this, often the best way to get over a training Plateau (a stage when progress as halted) the best way to get past this is take one week of the Gym allowing all the muscles and joints to recover. After doing this, most people find that they can instantly lift more weight than one week previous when they were stuck lifting a certain weight.

HIIT Training seems to answer most if not all of the problems associated with physical training; it keeps you fresh in body and mind. It combats injury and overtraining problems and is a tremendous fat burner and a great way to increase your physical fitness.

Start an Exercise Regimen and Stick to It

Exercise, exercise, exercise is all you hear everywhere! Don't despair! It isn't as hard or cumbersome as you think it may be. In fact, it can be so much fun that you will forget that you are exercising.

Exercise to the body is like breathing. In other words, it is as necessary as the air we breathe. The well known cliché "If you don't use it, you will lose it" is well applicable to exercise and our body.

So if you are not already part of an exercise regimen, how do you go about it?

Say No

First of all, you have to say no to the 'excuse demon'. I used to be a person who dreaded exercise and would become dizzy at the very thought of it. And hence, I came to the conclusion that my body is not made for exercise. Sounds familiar?

Yes, our mind is powerful enough to bring up excuses like that which can stall us for a lifetime. Ever heard the one "I will go to the gym tomorrow". Smart huh?

Pick One Activity and Make it Fun

Next, you have to pick an activity that you really like and one that can be part of your routine for life. If you pick something which you already feel is a chore, then chances are that you will never stick to it. Whereas, if you start an activity that your mind now deems as fun then you will WANT to do it as opposed to dragging your feet to do it. Therein, lie the secret to starting an exercise regimen and sticking to it.

Stick to it

When you stick to the regimen, you will find yourself to be a new person with more energy and endurance and you will actually want to exercise more and will start looking around for something more strenuous or challenging.

Then you truly know that you have won half the battle over the excuse demon.

Swimming

Look around for an activity that you already do, for instance, an aerobic exercise like swimming.

Swimming is the most beneficial exercise ever and it does not feel like exercise either. Swimming also burns a lot more calories. Not only does swimming burn calories faster, it also burns fat faster because unknown to you your body is working a lot when you swim. So if you know how to swim, just go for it and watch the inches melt off your waist. Swimming also tones your thighs and arms. So, you are rewarded with a toned body as well.

Dancing

Dancing is another fun activity than can shed pounds and burn calories. Join a dance club or if you are one of the shy ones, get a dance video and dance away at home. You can also get other exercise videos that you can follow in the comfort of your home.

Walking and More

If you have never exercised before then walking is a good way to start. As with any exercise start gradually and then increment as you go.

Jogging, running, hiking, mountain and rock climbing, and any other sport or activity that you think of as fun is a great way to get your body moving and burning calories.

Or just plain old aerobics group exercise at the local gym is a great way to start. The group effect can be motivating and you will hold each other accountable enough to participate in the classes.

When It Comes to Fitness, Nothing Is Free - A Few Easy Steps Will Make It at Least Fun!

Look, we all know there are dozens of "buzz words" for fitness and health. We don't need to hear them over and over again. You know what you want to achieve, all you need is the direction and guidance getting there.

Fitness is a state of mind and everyone's mind resists anything that seems to be to hard or to far off and hard to reach that goal. What you need is a clear direct process that can help you gain the confidence and goal driven direction that will keep you on track and make it easy to stay on track.

A good fitness program is just that, a clear clean program with no nonsense. It gives you simple ideas and plans to use to achieve you goals. There are no silver bullets when it comes to fitness, but a clear, clean and easy to follow program is about as close as you will get. Fitness programs are all around us, so picking a good one is critical to success. You will not be disappointed in this one. The progress you will see quickly will amaze you and help keep you driving forward to achieving the body you deserve and want. Below are a few thoughts on a path forward and why I think you need and will like a great fitness program.

First, You need to understand nutrition, heck we all do! This program will give you all the information you need to understand the secrets of what works and what does not in the nutrition world. With so much hype in the industry, it is hard to tell what really works and what is just out to get you to spend money. Spending money is not a problem as long as you feel like you have received a product that is worth the price and that gives you great results quickly.

Second, We all need supplements, but which ones work and which ones take your money? Supplements can help your basic health, your metabolic health, your brain and just about every other part of your body while trying to gain that ideal body. But with so many supplements out there it is hard to pick which ones really help your overall fitness! But the most important part of supplements is that you take them and take them as prescribed so you get the full benefits of each supplement. Most good fitness programs will list the supplements that you need.

Third, Exercise, we all like some exercise's and hate other types, we have our favorite pieces of equipment. I personally like a good rowing machine, but that does not mean you would, so using a great fitness system that explains all that as well as what Cardio is and does for your body. Everybody needs a well rounded program that will give them the tools for all aspects of fitness and getting those muscles toned and looking just the way you want which will make you feel like you can do anything.Always check out what the program offers and advises for each type of fitness routine.

Health and Fitness: Aerobics Cardio

Health and Fitness: Aerobics Cardio