Interval training is basically defined as a fitness and training technique that involves doing repetitions of high-intensity workout followed by intervals of low activities. By alternately doing high-speed and high-intensity workouts with rest or low-speed activity, the body is able to sustain stamina for a longer period of time.This training technique is often associated with sprint, marathon, and long-distance running.

Aside from building stamina, interval training is also an effective cardiovascular workout. More recently, however, interval training has been getting attention from the fitness community because it is believed to be a very effective way of losing fat and weight. Studies show that interval training is a more effective weight loss regimen as compared to doing moderate intensity workout for long periods.

Interval training, and not added cardio hours, is the answer.

Many people, and even fitness trainers, think that the best solution to get the desired weight and body shape is to do workouts for a longer period of time. Contrary to what many people think, doing six to seven hours of exercise and ab workout will not lead to a faster metabolism. If you're looking for a weight loss program with consistent results and help you get a six pack, interval training may be the fitness technique for you.

How and why interval training works

Interval training, also called anaerobic training, is an effective technique of speeding up your metabolism. While it's true that you do burn calories and fat while doing aerobic ab workouts, your metabolism returns to normal once your aerobic abs workout is done. With interval training, you can burn more calories and increase your metabolism for hours on end.

Combining moderate to high intensity workout and resistance treaining, your body can maintain a high metabolism speed for as long as 42 hours. This means that even after your interval training ab workout session is over, your increased metabolism still works to burn fat and calories. So even if you're just sitting at your desk and poring over your emails, your body is still working to burn the fat and excess calories you consumed during the day.

Basic sample of interval training

Like any other weight loss program and fitness technique, interval training also goes by certain rules. The first and foremost of which is to ALWAYS have a four to six-minute warm up session. This is important so that your muscles won't experience strain from the sudden intensive workout.

After the warm up, you then proceed to perform high-intensity ab workout activities for one minute. After that, you lower the intensity of your workout to a moderate level and maintain this for two minutes. One session or round usually lasts around three to four minutes, after which you cool down and rest for five minutes. Remember that the drop in the intensity level of your workout activities should be gradual; don't go from high-intensity to sudden halt.

Another important warning and reminder for those who plan to do interval training is that resistance training should come first before you do interval training workouts. Fitness trainers agree that going from internal training to resistance training can have negative implications and effects on your ab workout routine and weight lossfitness program.