Vital Interval Workouts
What is an interval workout? To keep it simple, interval workouts include short bursts of intensity, followed by short rests. You change up the exercises and routines to continually challenge different parts of your body, but I tend to design my workouts to attack the entire body with a LOT of core work. These are generally short workouts you can do on your lawn while the kids play outside or get them to join in! People of all ages can do most, if not all, of the exercises.
Last month, I was fortunate to be part of workout videos hosted by RTX Wellness. We met for 2-days and completed a handful of short, intense workouts fit for beginner to intermediate fitness levels. Their clients will receive these videos after they sign up for their great service. It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun. To be honest, I felt slightly self-conscious at first working out around cameramen and wall-to-wall mirrors, but focusing on my form and breath kept me from worrying too much about anything else. Also, full disclosure: I was sore come Sunday. A yummy kind of sore where I woke up unused muscles and the experience renewed my love for interval workouts.
Over the years, I've collected interval workout ideas and exercises and I love rotating through 12-20 minute workouts at least twice a week. The huge benefit to interval workouts is that you don't need much equipment, if any, you don't need a gym and you don't need more than 25 minutes from warm up to cool down. Spending an hour in the gym, staring at the TV and zombie-like going through your same routine bores the crap out of me and does little to keep me in shape. I do interval workouts on the road in hotel rooms, at family member's houses and on back porches of friend's places if they're willing to do it with me! I've recently started training with a great friend of mine and it's so much more fun working out with someone else and pushing one another. We remind each other to breathe through each exercise and focus on form; it's not a race.
**Stay tuned for next week when I talk about the four main exercises I think everyone should be able to do, even if it's a modified version! You'll get to see photos of me sweatin' it out on the mat!
Some great resources for interval workouts can be found below:
Zuzka Light
BodyRock
Online Stop Watch