Why is interval training better?
 

No, the question isn’t as dumb as it sounds. :dizzy: But really.... why? I've found that when I work out at an intense but manageable pace (enough to sweat a lot and be out of breath, but not feel like I’m dying) then I can run for 60 minutes and burn off around 650 calories (my polar monitor says 800, but I take 150 off because I don’t believe these monitors are wholly accurate.)

However, if I do an interval training which is all-out running, I tend to burn only 250 calories in the session. And obviously I cannot do anymore exercise that day once I've done an interval session. I don’t do HIIT (I’ve suffered from ill health in the past and I think something that could make me puke would be too shocking for my body and ultimately counter-productive.) But still, my session are pretty hard.

I know there is a lot of information out there about how intervals can increase your metabolism and burn more calories AFTER you stop exercising, but would it still burn as many as the other session overall?

I tend to couple interval days with the days that I eat higher calories. But I’m not sure whether this is the best thing to do or not.

I read an article that said for fat loss the intense 60 minutes of running is actually better than HIIT. However HIIT I believe is good for metabolic and v02 max conditioning.. I think... I found that when I incorporate the HIIT training twice a week, my cardiovascular endurance increased.

Someone will probably prove me wrong :)

I don't do intervals for weight loss. I do them for fitness. When I add interval work into my regular running schedule, it's amazing how much fitter and faster I become. But I do lose weight too.

I need to get back to speedwork. Ugh, it hurts so much when I do it. :( But I feel great afterward. :D

This notion that ONE kind is best is the biggest myth.

As you said you do intense sustainable for 60 minutes you can burn more.

You do intervals you not only can do less but you can not do them every day.

But if you do them regularly you can increase your fitness and run a bit faster on the days you run for an hour. And burn even more.

Intervals increase your ability to consume oxygen during exercise. It increases the ability of your heart and lungs to keep you going. And that makes your longer runs easier, faster and higher calorie burning.

If you run longer you increase your capillaries around your muscles, you increase the myoglobin, you increase the mitochondria number and size and you increase the activity of some of your muscle enzymes. All of which let you run harder when you do your intervals.

Long runs for your muscles, bones, tendons, intervals for your lungs and heart. Marriage made in heaven.

Originally Posted by ennay:
This notion that ONE kind is best is the biggest myth.

As you said you do intense sustainable for 60 minutes you can burn more.

You do intervals you not only can do less but you can not do them every day.

But if you do them regularly you can increase your fitness and run a bit faster on the days you run for an hour. And burn even more.

Intervals increase your ability to consume oxygen during exercise. It increases the ability of your heart and lungs to keep you going. And that makes your longer runs easier, faster and higher calorie burning.

If you run longer you increase your capillaries around your muscles, you increase the myoglobin, you increase the mitochondria number and size and you increase the activity of some of your muscle enzymes. All of which let you run harder when you do your intervals.

Long runs for your muscles, bones, tendons, intervals for your lungs and heart. Marriage made in heaven.

Thanks for explaining this.

I'm glad it's a myth - there is so much contradictory information on the internet that it seems impossible to decide which is correct. Combining the two does make the most logical sense, though. :)