Thursday 16 January 2014

Sprinting - my new love

During one of my running club days we planned to only do sprints. We warmed up a bit by jogging a few rounds around the track and then we did very short sprints and my focus was just catching up with the fastest.  It was like short race, each sprints was not more than 20 seconds long and then walk back and repeat.  Just 10 sprints and my legs were already feeling the effect.
Personally I have always focused a lot on my lower body exercise so most of the times even if my lower body gets tired my muscles usually do not get as sore as my upper body, even after my RPM class or my weight training I am usually alright the next day (I know some of you will suggest I need to lift more weights but currently because my upper body is not very strong I can’t lift heavier weights) so imagine my surprise when the day following my sprint my leg muscles were actually sore.
I was so happy because I really did not expect it, I am regular with interval training on the treadmill. Usually I do 1 minute sprint intervals but these 20 seconds intervals outside were a lot more intense. I noticed 20 seconds was enough to slow me down that’s how intense each sprint.
Personally I have really fallen in love with sprinting, each time I sprint I feel very strong I think there's something about pushing my limits that makes me feel powerful and good
Benefits of adding a sprint session to your training

  1. Burns more calories : sprinting burns calories during and even after the workout 
  2. Helps in making muscles stronger: sprinting is considered similar to weight training because the body is supposed to produce short bursts of energy. 
  3.  Increases endurance strength and cardiovascular fitness: because every time you sprint you push your limits it increases you ability. It also increases  the capacity of the body to store oxygen and increases your cardiovascular fitness
Sprints are short and very intense; they cannot be compared to just running at a higher speed. During my 20 second sprints I can’t even think. I have started to include sprint sessions once a week. Do you sprint? If not give it a try I can guarantee you will see the benefits fast. As usual I hope you found this post useful

 
Keep Reading I will Keep Writing  
Tanvee
I would  like to point out I'm no fitness expert these are things I picked up along the way of my weight loss journey by surfing the internet and going for fitness classes.

17 comments:

  1. Hello Tanvee

    You seem to be really enjoying - and making good progress - with your fitness.
    I think whether running or walking, if you up the tempo for short bursts it definitely helps.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hi Jan, I definitely enjoy my fitness regime, those short bursts are very effective :)

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  2. Sprints are indeed very effective. Go Faster Girl :)

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  3. When I am going to jog a mile, I need to stay at a steady 5mph pace, it's the only thing I can keep up for that long. But when I'm not doing my mile, I do like to do intervals. I'm not sure if I'm totally at a "sprint" during my faster moments, but that is something to aim for. It is a good way to shake things up (and then even I feel like my 5mph is rather slow) *Ü*

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    1. I do interval training also but sprint training is much faster for me...with my interval training I usually do 1 minute intervals or sometimes 500 m intervals but with sprints they are much shorter and really a lot faster

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  4. Hi Tanvee, Yes, I can see how sprints would be compared to heavy weightlifting because for both you give everything you've got for just a bit of time, and then you get a break! :D I like that about weightlifting. You work hard, then take a break, and continue that cycle. I'm glad you're having fun with your running. :D

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    1. Hi Marion,
      I love the feeling of giving everything I got...it makes me feel so good and strong :)

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  5. I enjoy sprinting too; it's my favorite part of HIIT training though I am definitely intimidated by it!

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    1. Hi Ayesha, It's my favorite too...I love catching up with people faster than me...though I have still not managed to do that but just the effort I put in makes me happy :)

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  6. Sprinting and me don't mix! The last time I tried I killed my knee!

    I'm glad that it works for you because you are right - it burns calories and improves your fitness.

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    1. yes it can have a lot of impact of the knees, touch wood it works fine for me :)

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  7. Unfortunately I cant sprint...anymore. I am still hunting to do something I like. :(
    BUT as usual u impress me.
    I wana ask...do u have a FAQ segment.
    xoxo
    z

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    1. Hi Z, I think you should try everything possible and at some point you will really find something you enjoy. For me anything that is very challenging becomes my favorite..thank you for your compliment, got a smile to my face.
      I don't have an FAQ segment yet..never had anybody ask me any question...but if you have any questions email them to me and I will do my best to answer them :)

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  8. Would like to sprint...but right now I am more into tabatas on various cardio machines....some day I will sprint.

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    1. I want to try tabatas..we have them in my gym the problem is there timings are right in the middle of a working day..do you have fun?

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