Feeling the burn

I was reminded over this glorious bank holiday weekend of the benefits of anaerobic exercise.  An energetic hour on the squash court with my kickboxer boyfriend left me sweating like a pig and begging for mercy after the first game.   Not the ladylike,and (slightly) glamorous professional image I'm really aiming for...

I shall attempt to explain what anaerobic exercise actually means for those of you whose memories of GCSE biology are a little hazy:

Anaerobic exercise is where the body's demand for oxygen is greater than the amount it can take in through the normal respiratory system.  This type of exercise is defined by short burst of high intensity.  Types of exercise include including sprinting, jumping and lifting weights.

I have always been a slave to aerobic exercise.  Dancing, running, swimming, all of which can be performed at a steady pace, using only the oxygen which is going into my body and not tapping into the stores in the muscle fibres.  I can run for hours, regulate my breath and actually enjoy what I'm doing.

See below of a picture of what I class as my comfort zone (spandex and all):



I struggle to enjoy the high intensity stuff.  Weights, hill sprints, fartlek training, circuits (especially things which involve upper body strength, mountain climbers and burpees in particular make me want to vomit.   It hurts, it's challenging, and I have developed quite a talent for finding a million and one other ways to kill time.

The image below is the opposite of my comfort zone.



The problem is, the more educated (and older let's face it) I become, I start to run out of excuses to engage in this kind of exercise.  During those rare occasions where I've forced myself into doing some sprinting or circuits, the feeling afterwards is of extreme awesomeness (as opposed to merely awesomeness with a regular aerobic session).

Plus you cannot deny the increasing interest in and attendance at HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) classes at gyms and popularity of programmes such as Insanity or 21 Day Shred, all of which use anaerobic exercise to promote effective fat loss and fast results.

Here's a few reasons why it's good:

• Greater calorie burn overall through building muscle mass.  The residual effects of doing this kind of exercise last longer than endurance / aerobic exercise. You'll burn more calories after your workout.  Higher calorie burn equals higher fat burn, more muscles, hello hot (and well functioning) body!
• Supports strength and endurance, which will make it easier to progress towards those fitness goals. This is the difference between a 4 hour marathon and a 5 hour marathon
• It's efficient.  Many of the programmes out there can be completed in a short space of time (Tabata workout in 4 minutes anyone?).  Perfect for a busy life. 
• Results and progression, faster race times, a leaner body (bye bye mum tum), protection against the ailments associated with ageing.  Sign me up. 

I'm going to try to incorporate some more anaerobic work into my own training but also into my classes.  It's always been important to me that I mix up my workouts but at the moment, it feels like I'm not working with some of the key fitness principles which are the essential building blocks for good health.  

Here is a great article which gives some useful hints and tips if you'd like to start working out in this way.

This article goes into more detail on the benefits of anaerobic exercise. 

Plus I reckon it will help me win at squash.

Can't wait to update you all on my progress :)