As Americans grow more health-conscious and are looking for the most effective ways to get in shape and lose weight, there has been a great deal of investigation into the fitness method known as interval training. Interval training is a type of workout that involves alternating between intense bursts of exercise and recovery periods at a slower pace. The theory behind interval training is that the overall intensity is greater and so the workout is more efficient.

Even beyond the benefit of having a shorter, more effective workout, there are a plethora of health benefits to be found with interval training. The following benefits are thought to be comparable or even better than traditional exercise!

· The heart: Interval training is linked with higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increasing maximum exercise capacity. Over the long term, interval training also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.

· Metabolism: The bursts of intense movement create a greater calorie burn and boost metabolism at the same time.

· For diabetes: Among diabetes patients, interval training improves insulin sensitivity by helping the body to absorb sugar from the blood more rapidly.

If you would like to add interval training into your workout regimen, replace one or two of your weekly aerobic workouts with interval training in the same exercise. For example, if you like to cycle as your primary aerobic exercise, then a day or two a week cycle in intervals of higher and lower activity. Your intense intervals should really make you feel the burn in your muscles in order to get the most out of your training.

Make sure you ease into your interval intensity to avoid injury, but as you adjust to the program, you can add more and longer intervals of higher intensity. If you’re starting with cardiovascular problems, you may see benefits down the road, but always consult your doctor before starting a new workout program. And if you can stick with it, you will see great benefits and overall improvement in your health.

Read the entire article here: Interval Training Can Boost Exercise Effects While REducing a Workout Length