Expert: Rick Karboviak, CSCS - 5/13/2009

Question
I have always enjoyed jogging so bought a running machine in January and
began using it regularly hoping for results. im 23 good health 5'11 12 stone.
Im really disappointed that so far i see no difference in my body or my
weight. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I've tried a few
different things so far: 40 mins flat steady pace or 35 mins with increasing
incline. I read about interval training stuff - is this what i should be doing. I'm
totally frustrated!! Can you help!!???

Answer
In a nutshell, interval training may be your missing ticket here if you want to improve.  Why? Because doing the steady-state exercise routines of just going the same pace & only adding time/distance to the routine itself will only bring you so far.  You need to stress the body within all its ranges if one is to expect it to improve.  The body only adapts to stress when you put slightly higher stresses upon it.  That's why the 'slow & steady' routines of the past, many of which are still promoted today as the 'only way' to get better at running, have failed for so many after a certain point.  

I have a few articles on my http://asapworkouts.com website that talk about interval training methods, so that may be of some help.

http://asapworkouts.com/pmplan.pdf - The Peak Minutes Plan
http://asapworkouts.com/turbo.pdf - Tabata Turbo Training

I have also created a new coaching service that sends interval workouts over Twitter messages and allows access to a private coaching site that I manage.  I just launched it yesterday at http://TwackAttack.com  You may have an interest in that as well.

I hope those articles help you find a new solution.

Coach Rick Karboviak