Less Is More Say The Experts!

Less is more is not only true when deciding which accessories to wear but also when it comes to deciding which exercises to perform. This is what leading research teams of “uber” intelligent scientists are coming back with and who doesn’t love the sound of that? I sure do.

Interval training is where it’s at and it’s something I’ve been talking about quite a bit on this blog. (Can you stand it, I’m talking about it again!) But it’s been researched and it’s been proven, so why fight it?

“High-intensity interval training is twice as effective as normal exercise,” said Jan Helgerud, an exercise expert at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. “This is like finding a new pill that works twice as well … we should immediately throw out the old way of exercising.” (I got this little nugget of info from cbsnews.com from an article they did earlier this year, so this is fresh off the printing press.)

The “Early Show” medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton says, “It improves your oxygen use. It improves your endurance. It improves your strength. All of those things are better for your heart, better for your mind and makes your exercise more fun.” (I’d like to stress the moooore fuuuun part if I may.)

Do you need more convincing? How about 10 minutes of high-intensity exercise can actually keep your body burning more calories for up to 60 minutes after your workout. Amazing.

(I know for some this news is a little daunting because there goes the “I just don’t have enough time to workout” excuse right out the window! Bummer.)

So since you have the time, why don’t you give this a try:

0 – 1:00 Light jog (or swimming, biking, rowing, you name it!)

1:00 – 2:00 All out run or sprint

2:00 – 4:00 Light jog

4:00 – 5:00 All out run or sprint

5:00 – 7:00 Light jog

7:00 – 8:00 All out effort (just checking to make sure you’re still reading)

8:00 – 10:00 Light jog

Depending on your fitness level, adjust accordingly either by upping or lowering the high-intensity times or the total duration of the workout session.

But remember, to get the most out of your shorter sessions, you have to put that much more of yourself into them. That’s the difference maker! Be true to yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Just think, it’s only 10 minutes!