Benefits of Adding Interval Training to Your Running Routine
Interval training means mixing short bursts of fast running with periods of slower running or rest. This method is super helpful for runners, especially if they're getting ready for a marathon. Here are some of the great things you can gain from it:
Better Heart and Lung Health:
Doing interval training can help your body use oxygen better while you run. Studies have found that if you stick to interval training for a few weeks, you can improve your VO2 max—how much oxygen your body can take in—by about 10-15%.
Faster Speeds and Improved Performance:
Adding intervals to your running can help you run quicker. Research shows that athletes who train with intervals can get faster by around 5-10% compared to those who just run at a steady pace.
Burn More Calories:
Interval training helps you burn calories not just while you work out but also after. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn up to 30% more calories than regular, steady-paced running.
Save Time:
You can have effective workouts in a shorter amount of time with interval training. For instance, a 30-minute interval workout can offer similar benefits as a 60-minute steady run.
Lower Chance of Getting Hurt:
Mixing different types of workouts helps reduce the risk of injuries that often come from doing a lot of long runs. Studies show that runners who use various training methods, including intervals, tend to have fewer injuries from overuse.
In short, adding interval training to your running routine can make you a better runner. It helps with your heart and lungs, makes you faster, burns more calories, saves you time, and lowers your chances of getting hurt. It's a great way to prepare for a marathon!
Benefits of Adding Interval Training to Your Running Routine
Interval training means mixing short bursts of fast running with periods of slower running or rest. This method is super helpful for runners, especially if they're getting ready for a marathon. Here are some of the great things you can gain from it:
Better Heart and Lung Health:
Doing interval training can help your body use oxygen better while you run. Studies have found that if you stick to interval training for a few weeks, you can improve your VO2 max—how much oxygen your body can take in—by about 10-15%.
Faster Speeds and Improved Performance:
Adding intervals to your running can help you run quicker. Research shows that athletes who train with intervals can get faster by around 5-10% compared to those who just run at a steady pace.
Burn More Calories:
Interval training helps you burn calories not just while you work out but also after. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn up to 30% more calories than regular, steady-paced running.
Save Time:
You can have effective workouts in a shorter amount of time with interval training. For instance, a 30-minute interval workout can offer similar benefits as a 60-minute steady run.
Lower Chance of Getting Hurt:
Mixing different types of workouts helps reduce the risk of injuries that often come from doing a lot of long runs. Studies show that runners who use various training methods, including intervals, tend to have fewer injuries from overuse.
In short, adding interval training to your running routine can make you a better runner. It helps with your heart and lungs, makes you faster, burns more calories, saves you time, and lowers your chances of getting hurt. It's a great way to prepare for a marathon!