Nothing complicated here. As with my weight training, I have cut this to 2 workouts per week. I actually used to enjoy this type of training as well, but there had to be a case where this was wearing me down rather than giving me the benefits of better health. So now, I limit the sessions to 20 minutes and in the main, I use the Life Fitness Elliptical Machine. If I was younger, I would probably use the Treadmill.
I warm-up for 5 minutes, gradually increasing the effort level. I then jump into 1 minute of all out effort coupled with 1 minute at a lower intensity to partially recover. I continue this until the end with a final 2 minutes cool-down. Simple, but effective. I use longer intervals of 1 minute on/1 minute off for a reason. I have tried Tabata training, ie. several sets of 10 seconds all-out effort and 10 seconds rest, but it is damned hard. Physically, of course, but more so mentally. Setting yourself up to go in and train like that each time is tough.
I should get myself a HRM to monitor improvements, or lack thereof , but at the moment, I generally go on calories burned on the readout. If they do increase, I have increased my effort levels for that measured period. Normally, I would use the HRM on the machine but invariably, these readouts don't function in my gym!!!
NB. If I had the " Prowler " ( noted elsewhere on the Forum ), I would substitute one of these workouts for that. I am still considering the " wheelbarrow up & down my drive option ", though !!!!!!
