What form of cardio do you do for shedding extra pounds? Do you sprint or go for a run for miles? This is debate that confuses people. Both have merit and purpose. In this blog post, I will cover why sprinting may be your better option.
Intensity Trumps Duration
Sprinting is a high intensity exercise. It torches calories in a much shorter amount of time. During a sprint, you body works harder. Your body continues to burn fat hours after the activity. This means you continue to shed fat when you are resting.
Muscle Preservation
Sprinting promotes lean muscle mass. This is essential for keeping a high metabolism. Long distance running leads to muscle loss. This slows down your metabolism. When you have a slow metabolism, you stop burning fat. That's why sprinters are muscle bound while marathon runners are scrawny.
Boosted Metabolism
Sprinting triggers the release of human growth hormone and testosterone. These two play a crucial role in fat metabolism and muscle building. There's no such hormone release from long-distance running. Though, you do release endorphins when you run for long distances. This help reduce pain, relieve stress, and improve your sense of wellbeing.
Time Efficiency
Let's face it, life is busy. You likely don't have hours to dedicate to long-distance running. But, you can complete a sprint workout in less than 30 minutes. That's a fraction of a time compared to running for 60 minutes or more. Besides, short, intense bursts of exercise deliver impressive fat loss results.
Variety and Enjoyment
Sprinting allows variety in your workouts. You can mix and match sprinting with other forms of exercises. This keeps your routine exciting and engaging. You may find it more enjoyable like many other people. This enjoyment leads to better adherence to a fitness regimen.
Conclusion
Long distance running has its place in a fitness program. But sprinting offers unique benefits for fat loss. Its intensity and metabolic boost alone compels people to try it. It's also a better choice to shedding unwanted pounds.
Of note, sprinting is not suitable for everyone. This form of exercise is demanding on your body. Consider consulting a fitness or health professional before sprinting.
If you are ready to begin, give the sample workout a try. If a more structured program interests you, check out Anabolic Running.
Action Plan
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Check out Anabolic Running for a comprehensive sprinting program. (NOTE: I receive a commission if you get the program. This commission is at no extra cost to you.)
Check out the sample sprinting program below.
Sample Sprint Workout
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | |
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Day 1 |
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Day 2 | Rest or low intensity activity (e.g., yoga, stretching) | Rest or low intensity activity | Rest or low intensity activity |
Day 3 |
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Day 4 | Rest or low intensity activity | Rest or low intensity activity | Rest or low intensity activity |
Day 5 |
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Day 6 | Rest or low intensity activity | Rest or low intensity activity | Rest or low intensity activity |
Day 7 | Active recovery (e.g., cycling or swimming to promote recovery) | Active recovery | Active recovery |