Many people associate interval training with blood, sweat and tears. We're here to tell you that of these three, it only takes a little sweat to get you in better shape, quickly and easily.👇
Performing 4x4 intervals
The execution of 4x4 intervals is a fairly short process. In total, there are 16 minutes of higher intensity. How long the actual session lasts is up to you and how long you want the active breaks to be. We recommend that you have a minimum of 3 minutes active break between each pull.
Warm-up
The purpose of the warm-up is to get you ready for the exercise. You have to figure out how long you need to warm up, but if you want to stick to the app's formula with a 6-minute warm-up, we recommend that you use the warm-up to build up to the desired intensity. The speed should always be experienced as pleasant.
Interval strokes
In the interval strokes, you should aim for an intensity that after a couple of minutes makes you breathe so heavily that you don't feel like speaking in complete sentences. This means that the first minute to a minute and a half of an interval move should be experienced as fairly "easy".
NB: Make sure you run with a minimum 5% incline.
When you are unable to speak in complete sentences after about one minute into the interval, you should not push yourself any further. At the right intensity, you should be out of breath and not feel any discomfort.
If you use a heart rate monitor with the app, it will guide you to the right intensity.
A rule of thumb is that you should be able to continue for another minute at this intensity when the active break starts.
Active break
In the active breaks, you must reduce your speed so that you can breathe and speak normally again. Make sure the intensity doesn't drop too low, as this will only make it harder for you to get your heart rate back up in the next interval. Get ready to repeat another interval move
The cool down
The last active break is the workout's cooldown. Use this to actually slow down and feel it: “could I do another 4 minute interval move now if I had to”.
If the answer is “yes” to this, you have completed the workout correctly. If the answer is “no”, you have trained too hard.
One interval session per week maintains moderate endurance levels. 4 minutes intervals are a minimum of twice as effective as any other endurance intervention. Learn why is 4x4 so efficient.