Forget the Gym - Try Hill Sprints Instead

By John Joseph, published Oct 03, 2007
Published Content: 39  Total Views: 25,952  Favorited By: 1 CPs
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Most people seem to think that you need an expensive gym membership in order to get into great shape. The fact of the matter is that you can get an incredibly effective workout for free. One way to get into incredible shape without any expensive equipment is to run hill sprints. Hill sprints are an excellent form of exercise for three reasons.

Hills sprints can be done anywhere you find an incline

Hills can be found in abundance in most parts of the country. Even in areas where there are no hills one can find a suitable substitute in stadium steps, or in flights of stairs in tall buildings.

Hills sprints boost natural levels of HGH

HGH (human growth hormone) is an essential hormone that the body produces to help with tissue repair and muscle growth. Although HGH levels reduce as we age, humans can increase their HGH levels naturally by doing the proper exercise routine. Hill sprints meet all of the criteria for exercise is recommended to boost HGH levels. To boost natural levels of HGH the exercise should:

Have repetitions that last less than 30 seconds. Hill sprints are short and sweet. You don't have to run any longer than 75 meters, which should take less than 25 seconds.

The exercise should involve several major muscle groups. Hill sprints force you to activate muscles throughout your entire body.

The exercise should be completed at a high intensity. After doing a couple of hill sprints the high intensity of the exercise will be apparent.

Hill sprints provide an effective workout in half the time

Because of the intensity of hill sprints, you can complete a highly effective workout in a relatively short period of time. You don't have to endure long, tedious workouts to achieve the results you desire.

Constructing a hill sprint workout

Start out with a warm up of five minutes of jogging. Then go through a gentle stretching routine. Do not hold your stretches to the point of discomfort. Try for a pleasant, comfortable stretching of the muscles.

Forget the Gym - Try Hill Sprints Instead

Hill

Credit: Andrzej Pobiedzinski

Copyright: Andrzej Pobiedzinski

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
 
 
what a great workout idea. I live on a mountain, so this will fit into my routine just fine.

Posted on 12/23/2007 at 9:12:03 PM

 
Sounds like a great addition to a workout routine.

Posted on 11/09/2007 at 12:11:00 PM

 
I'm training for a marathon: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycTReluci and actually, one of our workouts are hill sprints. Not only do they activate a lot of muscle groups, but they also make your body adjust itself to be more efficient when running!

Posted on 11/07/2007 at 12:11:00 PM

 
Guys in Iraq were dropping all sorts of unexpected weight by setting the treadmill incline to 12 and just walking as fast as they could. They burned something like 3X the calories in only a half hour. When word spread about the weight loss potential everyone was hooked. Same concept I guess...I think they were just too tired from the long hours to run it. ;)

Posted on 10/19/2007 at 7:10:00 PM

 
How great to implement this within your daily routine with children! They like to run, you get to exercise, and model an active lifestyle, and you spent quality time together. Great post! Claudia Blanton Motivational Coach, Fundraiser

Posted on 10/17/2007 at 9:10:00 AM

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