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Cardio Workouts - High-Intensity Vs Low Intensity

Posted on 10.26.2009 : Authored by Fannie R. Marshall

The warmer months are almost on us and it is time to start getting trim and proper for the sun drenched days ahead. It is about this time that people start heading to the gym and start doing long grinding cardio workouts. But what you may not know is that long cardio workouts are not necessarily the best use of your time.

Long-duration cardio has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, you are subjecting your body to stress for long period of time and this can lead to stress related injuries. Secondly, in order to exercise for such a long period you have to keep the intensity low. This means that getting any results from your workouts can be slow and often, they don't materialize at all.

High-intensity cardio focuses on doing more in less time. This means that you can achieve your fitness results more quicker. And in our busy lives, how doesn't want to be able to achieve better fitness results faster? High-intensity focuses on doing short-distance at bursts of near-maximal effort. You then catch your breath and start again. You will find that you will be exhausted in a shorter period of time and you will getter fitter quicker in the weeks and months ahead.

Examples of High-Intensity Cardio

Cycling: do a light warm up of 3 minutes to start. Then do 12 second sets as fast as you can followed by 10 seconds of going slow. Finish with a 3 minute cool down.

Sprints: do a light warm up for 5 minutes. Sprint 30 meters and rest 30 seconds. Repeat for 10 sets. Have a rest then repeat for two blocks of 10 sets. Increase the speed and distance as you get fitter.

Skipping: warm up for 3 minutes. Do as many skips as you can for 1 minute and then rest for thirty seconds. Rest for 1 minute and then repeat 15 times.

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