On the 2nd Day of Christmas My Trainer Gave to Me...

...An Interval Timer

Interval training type workouts have been for around a long, long time, just been called by different names. A top fitness trend is called HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training, high intensity exercise balanced with a lower intensity activity, or rest period. Besides an actual timer, there are wristwatch timers, and I know there are phone apps available, too.  A timer is perfect for a variety of goals.

The most obvious use is for Run/Walk intervals. Beginning runners might set the timer for short periods of running with longer periods of walking-eventually moving to longer running with shorter walking intervals. Experienced runners may choose to set up intervals of sprints to improve speed.

Tabata Protocol workouts are 20 seconds of intense exercise with a 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a total of 8 times. 20 seconds doesn’t seem that difficult but this is hard! The very first time I tried this I did a challenging cardio, like burpees, and nearly killed myself  :/ I like try different combinations, maybe strength training only, or a different exercise for each 20 seconds, just to mix it up a bit.

One of my favorite ways to use the timer is to set up "stations" around the room, alternating cardio, arms, abs, legs, and core, then set the timer for 30-45 seconds with an 8-10 second transition time to move to the next station. So easy with an interval timer-I just set it and go! And I get paid to do this-haha!

I have lots more “fun” ideas but I still have some Christmas tasks to do  :) Christmas Eve is tomorrow!! Tune in tomorrow for my final "gift"!