For most of us, going to the gym or exercising in general is a means to an end; sometimes we can have a fun workout but who wants to grind away on a treadmill or elliptical machine for an hour or more when you can get superior results with far less time?
Anyone? Didn’t think so!
When it comes to slow, low-intensity cardio, this has a very specific application and is well-suited to people such as bodybuilders who want to maintain considerable amounts of muscle while losing body fat, or for people undergoing rehabilitation who are currently unable to perform high-intensity workouts.
For the majority of people who want to look and feel great, a much better alternative is to opt for fast-paced, all-out workouts that may last anything from 10-25 minutes, rather than marathon sessions that last for an hour or two.
High-intensity, interval-based forms of exercise provide a much greater stimulus to your metabolism, getting your body firing on all cylinders and ensuring you continue to burn fat for many hours after your workout, not just during.
What’s more, if you compare the physiques of sprinters and marathon runners, you will see that the sprinters have a much leaner and more toned appearance, which is usually the kind of body we are aiming for when we exercise.
Next time you exercise, instead of jumping on the treadmill and grinding away until you feel like you’re going to lose your mind, try some of the following exercises:
- Burpees;
- Squat thrusts;
- Sprints – these can be performed in an interval fashion on a treadmill or a quiet road or track;
- Hill sprints – these are best performed on a quiet road or field and are much more challenging than regular sprints;
- Jumping jacks; and
- Kettlebell or dumbbell swings
These exercises will typically work your whole body and are designed to be performed at a high-intensity for 10-30 seconds, followed by a short break of 60-120 seconds. So many people have been asking me about long cardio workouts that I decided to include special workout sessions inside of Slim Down Smart.
If you’d like to learn how you can exercise more efficiently for weight loss click here!
Talk soon,
Matt ')}
