Threshold Training: A Targeted Way to Increase Your VO2 Max
What is threshold training?
Threshold training is a type of workout that involves working at a high intensity, but not so high that you can only maintain it for a short period of time. It is a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, speed, and endurance.
How does threshold training work?
Threshold training works by increasing your VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can use during exercise. When you work at your threshold intensity, your body is forced to produce more energy aerobically, which means that it is using oxygen to break down fuel. This process helps to improve your cardiovascular fitness and increase your VO2 max.
What are the benefits of threshold training?
Threshold training has a number of benefits, including:
Increased VO2 max
Improved cardiovascular fitness
Increased speed and endurance
Increased longevity
How to do threshold training
There are many different ways to do threshold training. One simple way is to alternate between periods of work and rest, with the rest intervals being shorter than the work intervals. For example, you could alternate between 5-minute and 1-minute threshold intervals, with 2.5 minutes of rest between each interval.
As you get stronger, you can increase the duration of the work intervals and/or decrease the duration of the rest intervals. You can also add more intervals to the workout.
Tips for threshold training
Here are some tips for getting the most out of threshold training:
Warm up properly before starting your workout.
Find an intensity that is comfortably hard. You should be able to talk in complete sentences, but you should not be able to sing.
Listen to your body and take breaks if needed.
Gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts over time.
Threshold training is a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and increase your VO2 max. It is challenging, but it is very effective. If you are new to threshold training, start with shorter intervals and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts over time.