Straight Jogging or Intervals?

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I want to lose inches from my waist. I am doing 2-a-day workouts where I lift weights before lunch then run in the afternoon. My question is: If I want to lose inches off my waist and lean up, is it better to run 4 miles at a steady pace or do some type of intervals where I walk a minute, jog a minute, run a minute, etc.

And if intervals is better, how long should I do it for (distance or time?)?

Replies

  • OhioCXgeek
    OhioCXgeek Posts: 16 Member
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    Mix it up. Intervals help improve endurance, speed, as well as fat-burning. Keep in mind, intervals are supposed to be harder. You can find an article as well as some workouts on Runner's World.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/intervals

    Good luck!
  • Jordan_Gregers
    Jordan_Gregers Posts: 35 Member
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    Mix it up. Intervals help improve endurance, speed, as well as fat-burning. Keep in mind, intervals are supposed to be harder. You can find an article as well as some workouts on Runner's World.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/intervals

    Good luck!

    What he said!

    Intervals are great for increasing your cardio fitness and your capacity to take in oxygen, but nothing beats having a base level of strength and endurance that can only come from running at a steady pace for longer distances.

    As far as distance and time are concerned, the Runners World website has good tips. Typical distances are 400 metres, 800 metres, 1000 metres, 1 mile and 2 mile intervals. For each interval distance you will have different rest times and repetitions too.

    Anyways, both are great, but it's important to mix it up. If you are new to running though the Jog/Walk style of learning is a great way to build your endurance, but not exactly intervals in the same way that the Runners World article describes them.