Low Max - interval training?

[stephl]

My knees can't take much high impact interval training. Could Low Max be considered interval training? What about Step Blast (though that's got some higher impact.) Imax 3 is really tough on my knees w/ all the jumping, but I want to make sure I do an interval workout once a week.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Conni]

I think Lowmax is definitely an interval workout, with an emphasis on lower body training. SB only has a short interval segment at the end, I think that one is considered a steady state aerobics with Cathe throwing a few intensity "curves" at you, if that makes any sense.
Also, Imax 2 is not tough on the knees as the other Imaxes, imo, and all can be modified to meet your needs.

Hope this helps!

 

[Saker]

Hi

You should try maybe wearing a heart rate monitor and seeing if you get a sufficiently higher heart rate in the intervals in Low Max. I find I don't at least in the earlier intervals. Another option might be to interval train on a bike which is low impact but can send your heart rate right up.

Ruth

 

[kelley111]

I love Low Max and I definitely get an interval workout with it.

 

[dcat]

I recall reading a post some time ago in which Cathe said Low Max is really not true interval training. In the Low Max description, it's considered a "high intensity, low impact" workout. Effective interval training will have the high impact.

I also try to work in one day of interval training per week. The week I do Low Max I will usually do another workout (or two) that week that has some sort of interval blast in it as long as it's advanced (like SB) but it doesn't have to be an hour's worth (like the Imaxes). Low Max gets the heart pumping and the legs working hard. I have found that a week or two like that once a month doesn't take anything away from the results I strive for from interval training and actually helps. But that's what works for me!

 

[CDPotier]

You can up the intensity of Low Max by holding a 3 or 4 pounds squishy ball, and I also do lunges during the breaks so my heart rate doesn't go down.

 

[winsomehill]

I think Low Max could be considered interval training if the blasts are sending your heart rate up to it's most intense without passing out. You should judge it for your self. The whole trick to it is pushing your heart to it's max so it will get stronger. You can do this with almost any type of exercise by just having intervals meaning a series of steady state cardio then push push push back to steady state cardio and again push push push. repeating the cycle. To try and up the intensity up the arm work. Put 'em up a little higher or add light weights. As Cathe has said "arms add 12% to the intensity."
Good luck
Heather