More Short, Controlled Bursts

Another interesting article on the benefits of interval type training in Outside Magazine. A 42-year old doubled his maximum bench press from 135 to 280 pounds, cut two seconds off his 100-yard-dash time, lost 40 pounds, and shed six inches from his waistline—all in just over a year. How'd he do it? By running like the devil was on his ass for 20 minutes.

Sprint 8 is another interval type training program that cycles short, high intensity exercise with a rest period for up to eight intervals. Like any typical interval program, what it does is increase the body's thresholds for several cycles, which increases your overall fitness level. One different angle the article covers, however, is the connection between intense activity and HGH - Human Growth Hormone.

HGH - a banned substance in pro sports and a popular supplement with the meathead sect, has a number of positive side effects like lowered bodyfat, increased muscle mass, and increased libido. Unfortunately, HGH can also make you look like you just should be carrying a club and discovering fire. Naturally increasing your body's HGH production levels is one way to get the benefits without the nasty Cromag side effects. Sprint 8 purports to do that.

Another downside to Sprint 8? It's damn hard. Going full tilt, even for 30 seconds, can drive a man to dry heaves, as it should. To quote the article "If you can do it for longer than 30 seconds, you're not going hard enough."

My own foray into interval training has been pretty positive. I haven't doubled my bench yet, but I have been able to gradually increase my pace and rehab my injury. I'll report back when I've dropped 4o and have a 28-inch waist.

Wanna try the Sprint 8 program? Get the details here.