The Fitness Maven

Every serious exerciser knows the unpleasant muscle pain that comes a day or two after a big workout. How can we avoid this pain while still working our body effectively? The secret lies in the warm-up and cool-down phases of our routine. Be sure to stretch and heat your body before strength training, so it will be warm and supple. Then stretch again after the activity, and use heat (a hot bath is ideal) to relax the muscles again. Not only will this prevent muscle pain, it will leave you feeling clean and refreshed after your workout!

Many of us grew up with the guideline that 30 minutes was the minimum for effective cardio training. But this belief is being questioned today. In Finland, many engage in bursts of intense running, interspersed with periods of walking or lighter exercise. This is quite similar to the type of workout one receives when playing team sports such as basketball or soccer – one runs at maximum intensity, then trots around, then runs again. Because the intense periods are so intense, and the body is not allowed to return to a fully restful state, this pattern seems to juice out performance in less time than the traditional half-hour slot.

One great way to perform this routine is by running from a starting point, at top speed, until you feel you must slow down. Then turn around and trot back to the starting point. Repeat this process 5 times and you have a great workout that takes very little time.