Cardio Interval Training on Treadmills

Cardiovascular endurance is important for any type of athlete. Whether you are a professional or just someone who enjoys playing pickup games, you need to have the stamina to participate. Interval training is a type of workout that changes intensity for brief periods of time. This exercise can help you improve your stamina quickly. Cardio training on treadmills can help you meet your fitness needs.

  1. Interval Training

    • Interval training is a workout that consists of periods of high-intensity training followed by slower rest periods. The high-intensity intervals are sprint intervals. These portions are measured by time or distance. The time of duration varies, depending on your goals. The slow periods of training are rest intervals. You continue the training at a lower intensity to help your body prepare for the next sprint interval. You can adjust the intensity of your workout, depending on your fitness and experience levels.

    Interval Training on a Treadmill

    • Treadmills can be used for interval training workouts. Begin with a warm-up, a light-intensity jog, for a time period of 2 to 4 minutes. Next, turn up the intensity level to a range that fits your abilities. For example, run for 5 minutes at 5 miles per hour. When the time is elapsed, turn the intensity back down to 2 or 3 miles per hour and walk to catch your breath. For the next interval, increase the intensity to 5.5 miles per hour and run for 5 minutes and 30 seconds. You can always change the intensity levels to fit your needs and physical abilities.

    Benefits

    • Interval training on treadmills offers a number of benefits. The workout program will boost your stamina. Even if you are not an athlete in any way, the added energy can help you throughout the day when faced with various tasks. This training program burns a high number of fat calories from your body—an important consideration to those individuals who are looking to lose weight. As with other types of workout program, cardio training can help you ward off health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.

    Challenges

    • Interval training on a treadmill can be difficult. You must have an understanding of how high an intensity you can maintain. Pushing yourself too far can lead to injuries or scenarios such as fainting. When training on a treadmill in a public gym, you may have problems finding open equipment. Most gyms have time regulations for machine use, and you may not be able to fit your whole workout plan within the time restraints.

    Other Information

    • Before you begin any high-intensity training program, seek the advice of your physician. Your doctor can perform a physical to help you understand how your body will react to the training.

      Work your way up toward a more intense program. Start off at a lower level, to help your body become acclimated to the training and avoid injury.