Monday, January 19, 2009
Let's Celebrate!
I'd like to invite you to join us on Tuesday, Jan. 20th from 5:30 - 7:30 in the multipurpose room at Anytime Fitness. There we're having a "Member Appreciation Party" to celebrate YOU and one year in business! We'll have Eno's pizza, other snacks and drinks, free samples, and plenty of other giveaways. Come meet the staff, our trainers, and other members. I look forward to seeing you there!
Friday, January 2, 2009
High Intensity Interval Training
Yesterday I saw a member resting on the couch, so I asked her how she was doing. She had just finished a "HIIT" workout, so needless to say, she was fatigued. If you read magazines or fitness articles on the web, chances are you've heard about HIIT, or high intensity interval training. Maybe, just maybe, you've even given it a try. If so, you know how challenging and rewarding this type of training can be.
So what is HIIT? In general, interval training is the opposite of the steady state cardio so many people do on machines or out on a jog. It's pushing yourself INTENSELY for short bursts, following those with recovery periods in a ratio of 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, or if you're a super stud, 1:1. This type of training has several benefits: it increases your VO2Max (amount of oxygen you can utilize during exercise), it puts your metabolism into overdrive, thereby burning more calories after the workout, and it doesn't take long to get a productive workout.
I suggest integrating 2-3 interval workouts per week into your schedule. They don't have to be long. Try 15-30 seconds of an intense pace followed by a 2 minute recovery period at a slower pace. Repeat 6 - 10 times. Another day, try a 45-60 second surge followed by a 2 minute recovery. You can do this on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike.
There's lots of info about HIIT on the web, but I actually happened across a good article http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_100/135_fitness_tip.html. Check it out if you'd like more information.
So what is HIIT? In general, interval training is the opposite of the steady state cardio so many people do on machines or out on a jog. It's pushing yourself INTENSELY for short bursts, following those with recovery periods in a ratio of 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, or if you're a super stud, 1:1. This type of training has several benefits: it increases your VO2Max (amount of oxygen you can utilize during exercise), it puts your metabolism into overdrive, thereby burning more calories after the workout, and it doesn't take long to get a productive workout.
I suggest integrating 2-3 interval workouts per week into your schedule. They don't have to be long. Try 15-30 seconds of an intense pace followed by a 2 minute recovery period at a slower pace. Repeat 6 - 10 times. Another day, try a 45-60 second surge followed by a 2 minute recovery. You can do this on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike.
There's lots of info about HIIT on the web, but I actually happened across a good article http://www.askmen.com/sports/bodybuilding_100/135_fitness_tip.html. Check it out if you'd like more information.
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