It is a common refrain: “I want to work out, but I just don’t have the time.” In today’s busy world, it can feel impossible to fit in a workout. This mentality is the result of a common misconception that long fitness sessions are the only route to a healthier life.
However, more and more research is coming out in support of the idea that shorter, less frequent, higher intensity, and more targeted workouts can achieve the same results or better than slower, less efficient workouts. The average individual with a gym membership will only go workout about twice a week. With the right regimen, this can be more than enough for them to achieve their fitness goals.
How to maximize efficiency
The type of high-intensity training you engage in is contingent on your fitness goals. For those looking only to lose weight and maintain their health, who are not interested in also gaining muscle mass, classic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be appropriate. This type of training can be carried out on a stationary bike, a treadmill, a track, or anywhere with room enough to sprint without interruption. The participant will engage in a quick warmup, followed by a series of alternating periods of extremely brief sprints and slower cool-downs.
For those looking not only to improve their cardiovascular health but also to build muscle, slow motion strength training is the way to go. This method of resistance training involves very slow, deliberate, targeted reps which work a muscle extremely efficiently, stimulating serious muscle growth in sessions of only 20 to 30 minutes, once or twice a week. Because these sessions do not involve high acceleration, they are also far safer than traditional strength training. This means slow motion strength training can also be perfect for seniors looking to stay in shape and preserve their mobility as they age.
Join one of the best gyms in New Orleans at SMX Training and improve your fitness without giving up all of your time. Book a training session and experience the effectiveness of slow motion exercise today.