High-Intensity Interval Training
- By Linzay Logan
- Published Sep. 17, 2012
- Updated Sep. 18, 2012 at 10:34 AM UTC
A Better Way?
Proponents of traditional high-mileage training programs shun HIIT’s “get-fit quick” approach, while advocates of HIIT cite the monotony and injury risk associated with volume-based programs as reasons for adopting a philosophy emphasizing high-quality over high quantity. So who’s right?
The answer is: both.
While HIIT challenges the basic tenets of a moderate-intensity, high-mileage training plan, it should be pointed out that Lydiard, too, went against common convention when he began experimenting with high-volume training in the 1950s. The bottom line is that not every runner can endure the consistent rigors of high-mileage running, nor can they expect to run their best over longer distances on high-intensity interval work alone. The two schools of thought must co-exist and complement one another to some degree. The key is finding the right balance.
“Both [high-volume running and HIIT] are necessary over certain points in training to have a successful program,” Sherry explains. “And that balance runs much deeper than trading out some long runs for HIIT workouts. You’ve got to bring in all the other factors.”
FILED UNDER: Inside The Magazine / Running Injuries / Training TAGS: fartlek workouts / hill workouts / Interval Training / speed workouts / Sprinting
Linzay Logan
Linzay Logan is the copy editor for Competitor magazine and cares about punctuation probably a little too much. She particularly loves to avoid commas as well as add exclamation points whenever she can get away with it! She also loves to run marathons and half-marathons—probably a little too much. Don’t let her small size fool you; she’ll still try to outrun you anytime. Even though chances are she probably can’t.