What is interval training?

An interesting question, as interval training means different things to different people. The following article should (hopefully) provide you with a solid understanding of the science and art of interval training.

This article is divided into five parts for easier reading (click on the links):

• Part One: Background
  • Introduction
  • Aim
  • History of interval training
• Part Two: Exercise Methodology
  • Introduction
  • What is Continuous Training?
  • What is Repetition Training?
  • What is interval training?
  • The Training Principles
  • Determining your Correct Interval Training Pace.
  • The Recovery Period
  • Why Interval Training
  • Rules of Effective Interval Training
  • Seeing What Happens to the Amount of Oxygen you Consume
  • Ventilatory Threshold
  • Frequency of Interval Training
• Part Three: Variations and Types of Interval Training
  • Introduction
  • ‘Old’ Interval Training
  • ‘New’ Interval Training
  •  The Fartlek Method
  • The Tabata Method
  • High-Intensity Interval Training
  • The Wingate Anaerobic Test
  • The Timmons Method
  • The Copenhagen Method
  • The Paarlauf Method
  • Interval-Circuit Training
  • Interval Training Variations
  • Who Uses Interval Training?
  • Interval Training in the Military
• Part Four: Advantages and Disadvantages of Interval Training
  • Introduction
  • Advantages of Interval Training
  • Disadvantages of Interval Training
  • Points to Consider When Planning an Interval Session
  • Points to Consider When Conducting an Interval Session
  • Points to Consider After Interval Training
  • Safety Factors
• Part Five: Miscellaneous
  • Summary
  • Useful Books, Magazines and Journals
  • Useful Links
  • References