Why it's important to do sprints!

While there are hundreds of ways to positively move our bodies (everything from yoga to dance to walking to hiking to gardening!), it might be easier to evaluate our fitness routines by considering the differing benefits that those movements provide. 

For example, we know that cardiovascular exercise of some kind is vital, because it serves, improves, and protects our circulatory system. That might lead us to ask  – what kind of cardio is best? 

That’s where it gets a little trickier, because the only simple answer would be: any cardio is better than none! But when we look a little deeper, different levels and intensities of cardiovascular exercise support different functions. 

Let’s focus on one kind: sprints! We’re talking going as fast as you can do for short periods of time, with longer rest periods in between. These can be done on cardio machines (like we do at RiseUp!) or with running, swimming, or cycling. 

Sprints provide myriad benefits to our muscles, hearts, lungs, and overall fitness. They train fast-twitch muscle fibers, which provide explosive power, and can contribute to muscle definition, as well as building muscle (more effectively than lower-intensity, aerobic and sustained cardio exercise). 

Sprints also strengthen the heart muscle itself, and can contribute to gains in endurance, despite their short duration. 

Need more reasons to add sprints to your routine? They can increase your VO2 max, which represents how much oxygen your body can use during exercise, and is a fantastic indicator of your overall health and fitness. 

Plus, if you’re looking for a time-efficient way to boost your metabolism before, during and after your workouts, sprints are the way to go. 

Now, that doesn’t mean you should only do sprints, every day, for the rest of your life – they do require excellent recovery, rest, and are best combined with other complementary kinds of cardio and strength exercise. 

The good news? Not only can you get low-impact and accessible sprints at RiseUp, but you’ll also get the benefit of the complementary cardio & strength training in a guided, personalized, and motivational environment. What could be simpler? Try your first free class today!