Posts Tagged ‘interval’

The New U.S. Army Basic Combat Training designed to create “Warrior Athletes”

March 17th, 2010

The next generation of U.S. Army soldier will be exposed to a basic Combat Training program that has been radically re-designed to make him/her:

  • Faster
  • Stronger
  • More Powerful
  • More agile/mobile
  • Less likely to suffer from overuse injuries
  • More likely to rebound quicker from acute injuries
  • And more capable of performing the tasks required of a modern soldier

In essence, the new training program is designed to create Warrior Athletes.

No more…

  • long distance runs
  • bayonet drills
  • and high rep sets of chin-ups and push-ups while being screamed at by this guy

Instead, the new BCT program has recruits doing…

  • Interval sprint training
  • Low rep / High Power/Speed sets
  • Timed sets
  • circuit training
  • maximum of 30 minutes of running per session
  • hill sprints
  • shuttle runs
  • hand to hand combat using pugil sticks
  • “core” training
  • anaerobic endurance training
  • while being screamed at by this guy

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Soldiers need to be able to move quickly under load, to be mobile under load, with your body armor, your weapons and your helmet, in a stressful situation,” said Frank Palkoska, head of the Army’s Fitness School at Fort Jackson, which has worked several years on overhauling the regime.

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We geared all of our calisthenics, all of our running movements, all of our warrior skills, so soldiers can become stronger, more powerful and more speed driven,” Palkoska said. The exercises are part of the first major overhaul in Army basic fitness training since men and women began training together in 1980, he said.

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The new training also uses “more calisthenics to build core body power, strength and agility. Over the 10 weeks of basic, a strict schedule of exercises is done on a varied sequence of days so muscles rest, recover and strengthen.

Part of the reason for this program re-design is the current physical fitness level of new Army recruits.

Many recruits didn’t have physical education in elementary, middle or high school and therefore tend to lack bone and muscle strength. When they ditch diets replete with soda and fast food for healthier meals and physical training, they drop excess weight and build stronger muscles and denser bones, Palkoska said.

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Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, the three-star general in charge of revamping all aspects of initial training, said his overall goal is to drop outmoded drills and focus on what soldiers need today and in the future.

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So, does that mean that the chubby 40-somethings doing “bootcamp” in my neighborhood park need to re-design their program as well?

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Protected: Health Habits Workout -Week 10/Day 1

March 8th, 2010

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Essential Workout Gear: The Gymboss Interval Timer

March 5th, 2010

I love interval training.

Absolutely love it.

There is something magical about the HIIT, HIRT and Tabata workouts that I inflict upon my clients.

As the clock counts down, they move quicker, lift heavier and recover faster.

Whether it’s bike sprints…

or jumping lunges…

…interval training is a powerful tool for burning fat and getting really, really fit, really, really fast.

So, how do you get started with interval training?

Glad you asked.

Step One:  Buy an Interval Timer.

Seriously, you’ll thank me. No more watching the clock out of the corner of your eye or screaming at your workout buddy for not paying attention. Spend the 20 bucks. Buy a Gymboss interval timer. Clip it to your shorts. It will beep & vibrate to let you know when to start & stop.

Simple. Effective. Buy the damn timer.

Step Two: Select one of the many free HIIT/HIRT/Tabata workouts that I have posted here @ Health Habits

Step Three: Start sweating

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That’s it

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A Super-Sexy David Beckham-esque HIIT Sprint Workout

February 25th, 2010

David Beckham : Men's Health

Awhile back, Men’s Health wrote an article showing us guys how we can “Live It Like Beckham“.

Included in that article was the David Beckham Workout.

Looking at that workout almost 2 years later, I realized that…..it was a hunk of junk.

Seriously, this guy makes bazillions of dollars every year and this is the best workout that him and his team of trainers & therapists can come up with.

We can do better.

So, here we go:

1.   Strength Training

The MH article ignored Beckham’s strength training routine, so like them, we will save that part of his training routine for another article.

However, if you are interested in building some strong, powerful “athlete” muscles, start with this article.

2.    Aerobic Training

The MH article also neglected to look at Beckham’s aerobic training. Luckily for you, I am going to build some aerobic conditioning into your….

3.    Anaerobic / HIIT / Tabata Training

Alright, here’s where the fun begins.

  • 3 workouts per week
  • Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced workout
  • Increased speed, power & anaerobic endurance
  • Less of this

  • And more of this

Beginner Workouts

  • These workouts are designed for beginners who are interested in losing tons of weight and getting super-fit and ripped.
  • For beginners, I am going to assume that you are performing 2 strength training workouts per week
  • I will outline 3 Super-Sexy David Beckham-esque HIIT Sprint Workouts. The number of workouts you perform will depend upon your schedule, goals & recovery abilities.
  • My recommendation: Do all 3 workouts if you can
  • Regarding fitness equipment, I prefer trainees do these workouts while sprinting outdoors or on an exercise bike in the gym or on a Versaclimber or on a rowing machine. A treadmill can be used with lower intensity workouts, but when the sprinting gets intense, the treadmill can get a wee bit dangerous.

Workout #1

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 3 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest
  • 10 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 3 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest
  • 10 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #2

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 3 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest / 15 sec sprint with 45 sec rest / 20 sec. sprint with 40 sec. rest
  • 10 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 3 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest / 15 sec sprint with 45 sec rest / 20 sec. sprint with 40 sec. rest
  • 10 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #3

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 10 minutes of sprints – 10 x 10 sec. sprint with 50 sec rest
  • Cool-down – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.

Intermediate Workouts

  • These workouts are designed for intermediates who have outgrown the beginner workouts and are still interested in losing tons of weight and getting super-fit and ripped.
  • I am assuming that you are performing 2 strength training workouts per week
  • I will outline 3 Super-Sexy David Beckham-esque HIIT Sprint Workouts. The number of workouts you perform will depend upon your schedule, goals & recovery abilities.
  • My recommendation: Do all 3 workouts if you can
  • Regarding fitness equipment, I prefer trainees do these workouts while sprinting outdoors or on an exercise bike in the gym or on a Versaclimber or on a rowing machine. A treadmill can be used with lower intensity workouts, but when the sprinting gets intense, the treadmill can get a wee bit dangerous.

Workout #1

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with a 50 second rest
  • 5 to 30 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #2

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec/50 sec – 15/45 – 20/40 – 10/50 – 15/45 sec. sprint/rest ratio
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec/50 sec – 15/45 – 20/40 – 10/50 – 15/45 sec. sprint/rest ratio
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec/50 sec – 15/45 – 20/40 – 10/50 – 15/45 sec. sprint/rest ratio
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 5 minutes of sprints – 10 sec/50 sec – 15/45 – 20/40 – 10/50 – 15/45 sec. sprint/rest ratio
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #3

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 10 minutes of sprints – 10 x 10 sec. sprint with 50 sec rest
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 10 minutes of sprints – 10 x 10 sec. sprint with 50 sec rest
  • 5 to 30 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Advanced Workouts

  • These workouts are designed for advanced trainees who have outgrown the intermediate workouts and who are almost super-fit and ripped.
  • I am still assuming that you are performing 2 strength training workouts per week
  • I will outline 3 Super-Sexy David Beckham-esque HIIT Sprint Workouts. The number of workouts you perform will depend upon your schedule, goals & recovery abilities.
  • My recommendation: Do all 3 workouts if you can
  • Regarding fitness equipment, I prefer trainees do these workouts while sprinting outdoors or on an exercise bike in the gym or on a Versaclimber or on a rowing machine. A treadmill can be used with lower intensity workouts, but when the sprinting gets intense, the treadmill can get a wee bit dangerous.

Workout #1

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 2 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with 20 second rests (4 sprints total)
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 4 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with 20 second rests (4 sprints total)
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (180 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 2 minutes of sprints – 10 sec. sprint with 20 second rests (4 sprints total)
  • 5 to 30 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (185 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #2

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 4 minute Tabata workout – 4 x 20 sec sprint / 40 sec rest
  • 10 minutes cardio at 50% of max intensity
  • 4 minute Tabata workout – 4 x 20 sec sprint / 40 sec rest
  • 5 to 30 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

Workout #3

  • Warm-up – 10 mins at a perceived intensity 50% of your maximum intensity.
  • 10 minutes of sprints – alternate 10/15/20 sec sprints
  • 5 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute
  • 10 minutes of sprints- alternate 10/15/20 sec sprints
  • 5 to 30 minutes cardio at 60% of max intensity OR (175 – your age) Heartbeats per Minute

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Enjoy

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And while it’s not required, I highly recommend using an interval timer with your sprints. Trying to watch the clock an do these workouts is a real pain in the butt.

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Protected: Health Habits Workout -Week 6/Day 3

February 12th, 2010

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February 10th, 2010

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HIIT v.s. Type 2 Diabetes

March 24th, 2009

hiit-vs-type-2-diabetes

In this study, researchers have shown that “only a few minutes of high intensity interval exercise, performed over two weeks, significantly improves glycemic control in sedentary young adults”.

the very definition of sedentary

the very definition of sedentary

In contrast, previous studies have shown that:

  • Long term (2-16 months) aerobic exercise programs have produced mixed results. While there were improvements in the insulin profile, the same can’t be said for the blood sugar profile. This indicates only a partial improvement in insulin action.
  • Long term strength training programs (hypertrophy style programs) produced results similar to the cardio programs.
  • Walking based interventions have also be unsuccessful with groups trying to prevent the risk factors of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

The Science

The HIIT effect on blood sugar and insulin response

The HIIT effect on blood sugar and insulin response

The low volume, high intensity interval training utilized in the current study significantly reduced both glucose AUC (area under curve) by (-12%) and insulin AUC by (-37%), with a sustained improved insulin action until at least day three after the last exercise session.

And these improvements required a minimal time commitment from the test subjects.

The HIIT Program

  • 2 weeks in duration
  • 6 workouts (3 per week)
  • 17-26 minutes per workout
  • 2-3 minutes of sprints per workout
  • Average caloric burn – 250 per workout (note – the researcher only measured caloric burn during the session – there was no mention of EPOC)

In comparison, the long term cardio programs I mentioned earlier required the test subjects to spend hours on an exercise bike, sweat out between 2000 to 3000 calories per week…and still receive inferior results.

So let’s compare:

HIIT Workout

  • Less time spent exercising
  • Better results

Cardio Workout

  • More time spent exercising
  • Inferior results

Conclusion

HIIT workouts produce significant improvements in glycemic contol and are a superior method for helping sedentary people improve their glycemic control.

Translation: HIIT kicks some serious Type 2 Diabetes butt.

Period.

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Extremely short duration high intensity interval training
substantially improves insulin action in young healthy males

John A Babraj†1, Niels BJ Vollaard†1, Cameron Keast1, Fergus M Guppy1,
Greg Cottrell1 and James A Timmons*1,2

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Improve your Heart with Short Workouts

June 5th, 2008

A recent study has concluded that short bouts of high intensity exercise is as effective at improving the structure and function of your heart’s arteries as the traditional long duration cardio-vascular training.

Participants in the study were divided into two groups:

  • The “sprint” group performed only 3 workouts per week. Each workout consisted of 4 to 6 sets of 30 second sprints on an exercise bike. The participants pedaled slowly for 4 1/2 minutes between sets of sprints.
  • The “cardio” group worked out 5 times per week. Each workout consisted of 40-60 min of cycling at 65% of their VO2peak.

After 6 weeks, both groups showed similar improvement of arterial structure and function.

Why Is This Important?

Traditionally, as we age, our arteries become stiff and lose their ability to dilate. This leads to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

And if you don’t know why that is important, please click the above links and spend some time at the Mayo Clinic site. You might be visiting sooner than you think.

Let’s Review

Sprint of High Intensity Interval Training is as effective as Endurance or Cardio training at preventing age related arterial stiffening.

That’s Good.

Sprint training requires a commitment of 20-30 minutes, 3 times per week (60-90 min per week) to effect that improvement.

That’s Good.

Endurance training requires 40-60 minutes, 5 times per week (200-300 min per week) to effect the desired improvement.

If you are like the rest of us time starved North Americans, that is Not so Good.

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It’s your choice.

Resources:

Exercise Bike Sprints

Hill Sprints – the before picture

Hill Sprints – the after picture

Tabata training – Resistance Training Sprint Intervals

For a more thorough look into High Intensity Interval Training and Energy System Training in general, check out this post. Or, see this post if you need help designing your own HIIT workout program.

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