Basic Cardio Interval Training
Whether for weight loss, heart health, stamina building, or fun, basic cardio interval training does not have to be a chore. It can be done by young and old alike. If you have health conditions that have limited your amount of activity you can still follow this routine. If you are active and healthy you can follow this routine.
The great thing about this easy interval training routine is that you can make it into your own in order to match your health level. If you need to go easy and take it one day at a time, then do so. If you want to crank it to the max and push yourself, then do so. Be aware, as with all other exercise routines, you should consult a physician before beginning. From beginning to end the entire routine should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Stretch yourself out. You don't want to pull any muscles or rip any tendons. Start out with some standing leg stretches off of the wall. Both legs. Calves and thighs. Twist side to side slowly to stretch out your back. Stretch out arms and shoulders with some basic circles and cross arms pulls.
Core exercises are an important part of every exercise routine so I highly recommend them. I start off after my stretches with as many crunches as I can do. Followed by a plank that I hold for as long as I can. I then lay on my back and do leg raises and hold them as long as I can.
For the rest of the easy interval training routine I have an open space that I use to walk. It can be as big a space as you have as long as you can pace back and forth. So you can use a song on the radio, count in your head, or set timers on your phone in order to know when to go from one stage to the next. Basically you begin at a slow walk. After a few minutes you will speed up to a faster pace. Then a few minutes after that you will speed up again. A few minutes after that you will slow back down. You will continue this cycle until 5 minutes before the end of your workout period.
The last 5 minutes you will walk slowly and spend a few minutes stretching out again to help your muscles and tendons cool back down.
That is the basics of my easy cardio interval routine. Anyone at any level can complete this routine. As I mentioned earlier, you can make it your own routine and make it as hard, or as easy, as you need it to be. Obviously you need to push yourself if you want to see any gains from it, but when starting out you can start small and work up. If you want to lose weight this is a great routine to add on to any healthy diet. If you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle it is an easy, fun way to build your stamina.
Comments