How to Beat the Competition With Interval Training (New)

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beat the competition with interval training (new)

How to Beat the Competition With Interval Training (New)

Welcome to evidence based exercise. Interval training burns more calories and develops cardiovascular fitness quicker than any other type of workout. You'll see why.

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DISCLAIMER: These are intense workouts! Always consult a physician before attempting any new exercise plan. This is a guide. I am not a trainer. I am not responsible for any injury caused. Warm Up.

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Interval training has been shown to 1. Increase aerobic capacity 2. Enhance long distance endurance and increase lactate thresholds 3. Increase speed 4. Burn fat for longer after a workout.

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The effort % for each interval should help you gauge your speed. 100% is your maximum sprint speed. Watch your HR zones if you wish. Do not push yourself too hard too soon.

The effort % for each interval should help you gauge your speed. 100% is your maximum sprint speed. Watch your HR zones if you wish. Do not push yourself too hard too soon.

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http://goo.gl/CjXIb Runkeeper is great for intervals. Programme these intervals into the app & the follow the audio cues, track your progress online, boast on social networks. Awesome.

http://goo.gl/CjXIb Runkeeper is great for intervals. Programme these intervals into the app & the follow the audio cues, track your progress online, boast on social networks. Awesome.

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But if you download Seconds Pro http://goo.gl/P9iYB I have created all of the timers you need to run these intervals. You simply import each of them into the app. Use at your own risk!

But if you download Seconds Pro http://goo.gl/P9iYB I have created all of the timers you need to run these intervals. You simply import each of them into the app. Use at your own risk!

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In order for you to find it easier I have added these links to my blog http://gcholer.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/running-interval-timers/ so you can add them to your app.

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ALWAYS warm up and cool down with 4-5 minutes of slow jogging. Stretch your hamstrings, hips, groin, calves, quads, and glutes (see my guide on stretching). Don't skip the stretch.

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BEGINNER INTERVALS! You may be new to running altogether, or you may be new to intervals. These introductory workouts will build a cardiovascular platform for the more intense sessions.

BEGINNER INTERVALS! You may be new to running altogether, or you may be new to intervals. These introductory workouts will build a cardiovascular platform for the more intense sessions.

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LEVEL 1. Get this workout at http://goo.gl/VXSwV Repeat 9 times total. Bonus round: 15 seconds at 80% max speed. Cool down.

LEVEL 1. Get this workout at http://goo.gl/VXSwV Repeat 9 times total. Bonus round: 15 seconds at 80% max speed. Cool down.

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LEVEL 2: Steady = 60% then Slow = 40%. Repeat 8 times.  Bonus round: run at 80% for 15 seconds then at 40% for 30 seconds - repeat twice. Cool down http://goo.gl/FlmBd if you have seconds pro.

LEVEL 2: Steady = 60% then Slow = 40%. Repeat 8 times. Bonus round: run at 80% for 15 seconds then at 40% for 30 seconds - repeat twice. Cool down http://goo.gl/FlmBd if you have seconds pro.

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LEVEL 3: STEADY = 60% SLOW = 40% repeat X8. Bonus round: 1 Minute @ 70%. Cool down and take a shower. Seriously. Seconds pro link http://goo.gl/Z9fKz.

LEVEL 3: STEADY = 60% SLOW = 40% repeat X8. Bonus round: 1 Minute @ 70%. Cool down and take a shower. Seriously. Seconds pro link http://goo.gl/Z9fKz.

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INTERMEDIATE INTERVALS. You asked for it. You'll push yourself a little here, you will be uncomfortable, but that recovery section is just around the next corner.

INTERMEDIATE INTERVALS. You asked for it. You'll push yourself a little here, you will be uncomfortable, but that recovery section is just around the next corner.

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LEVEL 4: Run for 30s @ 60% THEN blast it for 20s @ 80% effort. THEN slow down for 45s @ 50% Repeat the entire sequence 8 times. Get this workout for Seconds Pro http://goo.gl/WhKoL

LEVEL 4: Run for 30s @ 60% THEN blast it for 20s @ 80% effort. THEN slow down for 45s @ 50% Repeat the entire sequence 8 times. Get this workout for Seconds Pro http://goo.gl/WhKoL

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LEVEL 5. 1 long minute at 80% of your maximum speed. THEN enjoy 2 blissful minutes at 40% (easy jogging pace). 2 minutes... I'm too good to you. If you have Seconds pro use http://goo.gl/OTH0O

LEVEL 5. 1 long minute at 80% of your maximum speed. THEN enjoy 2 blissful minutes at 40% (easy jogging pace). 2 minutes... I'm too good to you. If you have Seconds pro use http://goo.gl/OTH0O

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LEVEL 6. Go for 30s at 90% (just below your maximum sprint) THEN enjoy 1 min @ 40%. It's easy, but you're doing it 9 times. http://goo.gl/Eb6HP to download it to Seconds pro.

LEVEL 6. Go for 30s at 90% (just below your maximum sprint) THEN enjoy 1 min @ 40%. It's easy, but you're doing it 9 times. http://goo.gl/Eb6HP to download it to Seconds pro.

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LEVEL 7. Still with us? Good! Spend 2 minutes @70% THEN 2 minutes @ 50%. Repeat the whole thing 3 times. Yes, that's what 2 minutes really feel like. http://goo.gl/JLLoz to import into Seconds Pro.

LEVEL 7. Still with us? Good! Spend 2 minutes @70% THEN 2 minutes @ 50%. Repeat the whole thing 3 times. Yes, that's what 2 minutes really feel like. http://goo.gl/JLLoz to import into Seconds Pro.

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Advanced Intervals. This is Sparta.

Advanced Intervals. This is Sparta.

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LEVEL 8. 1 minute @ 90% then 1 minute at 50%. X 6. You WILL be uncomfortable, you WILL slow down, some of you may cry. Get those endorphins. http://goo.gl/uLeNV to import into seconds pro.

LEVEL 8. 1 minute @ 90% then 1 minute at 50%. X 6. You WILL be uncomfortable, you WILL slow down, some of you may cry. Get those endorphins. http://goo.gl/uLeNV to import into seconds pro.

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Beta-endorphins: The body's natural opiates. These morphine-like proteins act like painkillers when you exercise intensively. It's a natural high, the smile on your face after the workout.

Beta-endorphins: The body's natural opiates. These morphine-like proteins act like painkillers when you exercise intensively. It's a natural high, the smile on your face after the workout.

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Fartlek Cross country series. 30 Intervals ranging 15s to 1 min, of randomised speeds and varied terrains. Create unpredictable conditions. Make this a plateau breaker. Make your own timer for this.

Fartlek Cross country series. 30 Intervals ranging 15s to 1 min, of randomised speeds and varied terrains. Create unpredictable conditions. Make this a plateau breaker. Make your own timer for this.

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TIP: If your legs are sore, wait a day and let your muscles repair. On a cellular level, you'll build more speed and strength by resting a day than destroying more fibres two days in a row.

TIP: If your legs are sore, wait a day and let your muscles repair. On a cellular level, you'll build more speed and strength by resting a day than destroying more fibres two days in a row.

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200 METRE MULCHER: On a comfortable surface such as grass, or a running track SPRINT 200m at full speed (100%). Walk back to the start, turn and repeat X8 total. It IS possible. Cool down and stretch

200 METRE MULCHER: On a comfortable surface such as grass, or a running track SPRINT 200m at full speed (100%). Walk back to the start, turn and repeat X8 total. It IS possible. Cool down and stretch

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Time has never gone by so slowly, or passed so quickly, than when you are doing intervals. You'll know what I mean.

Time has never gone by so slowly, or passed so quickly, than when you are doing intervals. You'll know what I mean.

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TEMPLE OF DOOM pyramid. Start on 15 seconds fast (80-90%) and 1:30 Slow. With each repetition +15s to the fast and -15 seconds from the slow, and then back again. Here's the timer http://goo.gl/dKrlf

TEMPLE OF DOOM pyramid. Start on 15 seconds fast (80-90%) and 1:30 Slow. With each repetition +15s to the fast and -15 seconds from the slow, and then back again. Here's the timer http://goo.gl/dKrlf

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Hill Climbs. Get a stopwatch or timer. Find a hill, incline or long flight of stairs. Run up as fast as possible for 1 minute. Jog down slowly Repeat x 8 then stretch.

Hill Climbs. Get a stopwatch or timer. Find a hill, incline or long flight of stairs. Run up as fast as possible for 1 minute. Jog down slowly Repeat x 8 then stretch.

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WELL there you have it. You're legs are probably like the pillars of Acropolis by now. Now do us a favour, put your phone down and have a shower, you've earned it. Check out my other guides. Cheers!

WELL there you have it. You're legs are probably like the pillars of Acropolis by now. Now do us a favour, put your phone down and have a shower, you've earned it. Check out my other guides. Cheers!

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Calgary, Canada.
twitter.com/glennchole
Welshman living in Canada. Fitness, food, photography. Please come back and comment if you use one of my guides! Instagram @Glennchole

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21 Comments
Supplies

2 Running shoes

1 Runkeeper app or similar

1 Timer or stopwatch

Glenn Hole

Thanks Karan. I hope it helps you develop your fitness even further. Swimming for cardio is incredibly effective too. Make a guide on how to use that method and I will give it a go. Usually when I'm training there is a steady state cardio day in my week, and I would mix it up as 40-60 minutes of swimming, rowing, or running. The other main cardio day would be intervals.

(author) 6 months ago

Karan Chauhan

Brilliant guide, the various stages/levels give you a good measure as to how your cardio-vascular fitness is shaping up. You just found yourself a dedicated reader. I've always relied on swimming for my cardio, but I'm going to start this as well.

Karan Chauhan 6 months ago

Glenn Hole

So the way I envisage the training programme is that you do weight training 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tuesday and Saturday are cardio days, Thursday and Sunday are rest days. I would usually do one of these intervals each week on the Tuesday, and then run steady speed for 40-60 minutes on Saturdays. Each week, I would work my way up a level, until I was able to do the advanced level. Then for maintenance, you choose one of the later intermediate or advanced level intervals each week, or make up your own versions that you find most difficult. Work on your weaknesses.

(author) 10 months ago

Ben Caro

Ah, yes it is, Glenn. I was a bit confused by the guide, thinking that you were suggesting doing Levels 1-3 for the Beginner Intervals consecutively. But the levels are more like steps you can take then? Thanks for your hard work!

Ben Caro 10 months ago

Glenn Hole

Stacy, thanks for your comments. It's nice to get outside! You can do most of these on a programmable treadmill but you'll be less bored outside.

(author) 11 months ago

Stacy Michaels

I'll definitely be adding these intervals to my running days. I'm normally a gym rat but this summer I've dreaded cardio indoors . Thanks for the inspiration to change things up a bit:)

Stacy Michaels 11 months ago

Glenn Hole

Is that what you mean?

(author) 11 months ago

Glenn Hole

I'm not sure what you mean by stacking. I create the workouts in the app as described with repeating fast/slow intervals. I wouldn't see any value for myself in doing more than one of these in a row, but if you wanted to do it, then you'll have to manually incorporate two of them into one workout.

(author) 11 months ago

Ben Caro

Got a question... Is there a way to stack levels on the Runkeeper app? A bit of a bummer to have to start another workout to keep up the great plan you have set out. Thanks!

Ben Caro 11 months ago

Glenn Hole

Those jolly Swedes and their language.

(author) 12 months ago

Holly 🐢

Sorry for being a little childish but... Fartlek made me laugh! :S

Holly 🐢 12 months ago

Georgia Phillips

Keep up the good work I love your fitness guides!! All of them. I'm another advanced age individual (translation old lady). But in better shape than most of the youngsters I work with. I have been following Dr. Mercola's Peak 8 interval training. Again, keep your guides coming!

Georgia Phillips 12 months ago

Glenn Hole

Let me know how you manage. The last ones are brutal. Good luck.

(author) last year

Timothy Riddle

Thanks! I'll try this.

Timothy Riddle last year

Glenn Hole

Thanks Donald.

(author) last year

Donald West

I just recently got into interval training at my "advanced" age. Definitely suggested. Good job, Glenn.

Donald West last year

Chucho Chuyin

Yea first time I did it I almost puked... BUT you get what u put in to it. Great stuff.

Chucho Chuyin last year

Glenn Hole

Dude insanity is brutal. It took me beyond my limits, I love it and hate it. Ive got huge respect for anyone who does it.

(author) last year

Chucho Chuyin

Good stuff. At the moment Im doing the insanity workout and running 3 times a week. I recently stopped heavy lifting to slim down for the summer. I'll prob sub it in twice per week and have a third slow/long run day that falls on the insanity work out rest day. Thx for the quick reply.

Chucho Chuyin last year

Glenn Hole

I'd normally incorporate these two days a week alongside some weight training or if you're a runner most of the time, you can substitute one or two of your normal running sessions for one of these per week. You could also do it three times a week for one week in the month to see if it improves your performance on your regular training days.

(author) last year

Chucho Chuyin

Sounds intense. Ima runner I will try your intermediate level :) how many times a week ?

Chucho Chuyin last year

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Masheyti Romero

*cute

Masheyti Romero 10 months ago

Masheyti Romero

Aw so cutr

Masheyti Romero 10 months ago

Gustav S

Now that's one relaxed puppy!

Gustav S 12 months ago

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Lara Lima

The images are awesome! LOL

Lara Lima last year

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Lara Lima

So true!

Lara Lima last year

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