Interval training is a very important aspect of any workout schedule. Without interval training, competitive runners would hit a plateau and stop getting any faster, and people trying to lose weight would reach their own plateau where no more pounds will be willing to come off.
How does interval training help you?
Interval training puts your body into oxygen debt and teaches your body what it is like to run at speeds near or above what you expect to race at.
You can get your body used to moving fast for a specified distance without having to run that entire distance at one time. This allows you to concentrate on your form, maintain your rhythm, and teach your muscles how to deal with excess lactic acid and less than full fuel reserves.
Running intervals at your race pace allow you to work out your mind as well as your body. You can get a feeling for what pace you should be running so that you can make adjustments if you are running too fast or too slow during the race. These workouts can also make you tougher and more resistant to the pain and distraction of running at your peak performance.
One of the biggest advantages of interval training is that these workouts are also great for burning fat.
The actual number of calories burned while exercising may be equal or even less than the number of calories that a moderate effort steady state run may burn, but your metabolism gets cranked up and you continue to burn calories for many hours after the workout.
In order to continue burning fat you need to be sure to drink some water and eat after interval training; you can keep your metabolism going much faster and much longer when your body knows that it has the fuel to break down the fat to aid recovery.
If you do not eat after your workout, your body may go into anti-famine mode where it will slow down your metabolism and begin storing fat in order to get ready for the lack of food it thinks will be coming. A slower metabolism means that not only will you not burn as many calories, but you will also have a tougher time recovering from the workout and repairing your muscles.
A good workout will leave you feeling energized, and will bring you closer to your goals. Just make sure that you get enough rest between workouts and that you don't try doing too much, too fast or too soon.
Author Resource:-
Blaine Moore is a running coach in Southern Maine with 20 years of training and racing experience. Download his free report, The 3 Components of an Effective Workout, to learn why the work you put in during your training is only the third most important factor that determines how well you improve as a runner and an athlete.
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