But why do they do it?
My guess is as good as yours but my hunch would be they are part of the “more is better” team that regards exercise duration as the gold standard. In the words of Chandler, could they be any more wrong?
The biggest issue with long duration exercise is that the longer it goes, the lesser intensity you actually train at. You can train hard, but you can’t train hard for long.
Long duration exercise burns about 95% of its calories while you do it meaning to burn more calories and to burn that extra layer of belly fat means that you’ve actually got to run further and further each time making it longer and longer to complete.
I’m not sure how long you can stretch out your lunch break without your boss catching on but I think it’s best not to even test it.
Intensity refers to a relative level of your maximum output. So if you’re going at about a 7 out of 10 on your effort level scale then that would be about 70% intensity.
The absolute top notch reason to focus on intensity is the metabolism boost you get after high intensity training; where it can stay elevated for up to 33 hours post training. As well as promoting muscle mass increases and the actual breakdown of fatty acids (body fat).
So for the next 3 to 4 weeks try this training plug in instead of those endless Tan runs and 60 minute cardio machine sessions:
AM – Hill Sprints
Find a hill, any old hill, and run up it as fast as you can for 20 – 30 meters. Walk down, have a quick sip of your drink and repeat 5 times increasing 1 rep every week
PM – Step Burpees
In the confines of your own home do Burpees as hard and as fast as you can (but maintain technique) for 30 seconds then rest for 30 seconds. Start off with 3 rounds and increase to 4, 5, 6 each successive week.
Add up the total reps you get each workout and beat it each session too.
So there you have it, 2 much shorter but more effective sessions that can fit into anyone’s day.
Intensify your intent!!
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