10 in Six

It's fitness Friday! 

Whether you are new to exercise or have been doing it for years, interval training is a great addition to your workout routine. Interval training is one of the most effective ways to boost metaboism, rev up fat burning, and improve your overall fitness level.  Interval training does this by alternating bewteen high-intensity and lower intensity pace.

Via

 If you are less fit you might alternate between leisurley walking mixed with periods of quick walking.  A brisk walker might add bursts of jogging into walks. If you are already running, you would add regular sprinting or faster paced running into your workout.  Don't like to run or walk?  Some of my favorite workouts include very short bursts of running or no running at all.  Situps, pushups, pullups, weights, squats, and biking can all be part of a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.

Here are some of the benefits of Interval training by the Mayo Clinic Staff :

• You'll burn more calories. The more vigorously you exercise, the more calories you'll burn — even if you increase intensity for just a few minutes at a time.
• You'll improve your aerobic capacity. As your cardiovascular fitness improves, you'll be able to exercise longer or with more intensity. Imagine finishing your 60-minute walk in 45 minutes — or the additional calories you'll burn by keeping up the pace for the full 60 minutes.
• You'll keep boredom at bay. Turning up your intensity in short intervals can add variety to your exercise routine.
• You don't need special equipment. You can simply modify your current routine."

     Some of  my favorite workouts are done by choosing three exercises and doing them every minute on the minute.  For example:  10 pushups, 10 situps, 15 squats every minute.  Sounds easy right?  But after 30 minutes you will have done 300 pushups, 300 situps and 450 squats.  If you are new to these exercises, you will be feeling them the next day.  I also like to do sets.  Choose 3-4 exercises (I like 10pullups, 20situps, 10pushups 20squats) and repeat 5,7,or 10 times depending on fitness level and duration of exercise.

Here are some other workouts I have enjoyed :

I Just started doing this one. For added cardio I like to run a lap between sets.

Just did this one for the first time on Wednesday.  I'm still feeling it:

This next one is intense and takes 45-60 min.  If you are new to exerise I recommend starting at 66 and working down:

Sorry this next  one didn't copy well.  You can see it online @ vingle.com

Haven't tried this one next but it looks good.

This one also is on my list to try out:

Another great place to get ideas for workouts is google or pinterest and search HIIT (interval training) or treadmill.  Remember to start easy and stop if any exercise is causing you pain (not sore muscles. :) 

What are your favorite workouts right now?