With the recent debut of some of our new Dynamic You Fitness class formats, we know many of you are wondering how it's possible you can spend less time exercising and get not just better results, but a greater calorie-burn. Among the many, many misconceptions about fitness and health is that you have to spend more time to get the best results.
And we are here to assure you it's just not true.
We have the medical professionals ready to back us up. Well we certainly count WebMD, among many sources, as professional.
Check out this information about high-intensity workout plans
Want to increase your metabolism? Reduce body fat? Improve your endurance? Further build upon your strength?
High-intensity training is one of the most effective ways to reach these goals. Research has shown whole-body, high-intensity, interval-style training is just as effective at boosting aerobic fitness as a longer cardio session, and more effective at improving muscular endurance and increasing metabolism.
Shape Magazine's article about metabolic conditioning routines also pointed out study subjects who did this kind of training perceived their workouts as more enjoyable and were more likely to stick with it, compared to other types of workouts.
How does it work, you ask?
Most workouts are performed at at a moderate intensity, or an exertion level of 5-6 on 0-10 scale. High intensity intervals, if done properly, are done at an exertion level of 7 or higher, and are typically sustained for somewhere between 30 seconds and three minutes. The results include significantly increased aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels, decreased fasting insulin and increased insulin sensitivity, among other benefits.
Heart rate is the key. If we speed the body up, it will burn more calories.
Bottom line - the key to continuing to become healthier and fit is to mix up your workouts. You must always challenge yourself - your mind and your body.
That's what we're here for.
