Many people are familiar with running or jogging as a form of exercise, but only some know that there are actually different types of running or jogging workouts. Running and jogging can be used in different combinations based on one’s goals and preferences.
We’ll discuss and compare the various types of running and jogging workouts, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Running vs Jogging
Running and jogging are both forms of aerobic exercise, but there are some key differences, including intensity level and pace.
Running involves a faster and more intense pace than jogging, requiring more energy and effort. It is typically associated with sports and competitions.
On the other hand, jogging involves a slower and more relaxed pace than running, which is considered a low-impact form of exercise. It is ideal for beginners or individuals recovering from injury or illness.
Here are some different types of running or jogging workouts:
Type of Workout |
Description |
Interval training |
Alternating between short bursts of high-intensity running or jogging and periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. |
Fartlek training |
is Similar to interval training but with more flexibility in terms of intensity and duration between intervals. |
Long-distance running |
Running or jogging for extended periods at a steady pace, typically at least 5k or 10k. |
Pro tip: To prevent injury and get the most out of your workout, warm up before and cool down after your running or jogging session.
Benefits of Each
Running and jogging have many benefits on overall health and can boost mental and physical well-being. The different running or jogging workouts include endurance, tempo, speed, hill repeats, intervals, and fartleks exercises. Each has its benefits.
Endurance |
It increases endurance and trains the body to use up its energy efficiently. |
Tempo |
It enhances muscle strength and higher the lactic threshold. |
Speed |
It improves speed and overall fitness. |
Hill Repeats |
It strengthens the leg muscles and improves cardiorespiratory fitness. |
Intervals |
builds strength and speed endurance. |
Fartleks |
It helps in building speed, endurance, and anaerobic threshold. |
Choosing The Right Workout For Your Goals
When it comes to choosing the right workout to achieve your fitness goals, understanding the different types of running or jogging workouts is crucial.
Here are the four typical variations of Running vs. Jogging workouts:
Type of Training |
Description |
Fartlek Training |
Fartlek is a Swedish term for ‘speed play’. It involves interspersing bursts of high-intensity exercise with periods of low-intensity recovery. Fartlek training is ideal for individuals who want to increase their running endurance and overall fitness levels. |
Tempo Training |
Tempo workouts aim to improve an individual’s running efficiency and endurance. It consists of running a steady and shorter distance quickly, followed by a relaxed recovery run. |
Long Run |
A long run is a steady and slow-paced run over several miles. The aim is to improve endurance while burning fat. |
Interval Training |
Interval training alternates between high-intensity periods of sprinting and longer periods of rest or recovery. This type of workout is ideal for athletes and individuals who want to boost their speed and VO2 max. |
Pro tip: Consult a professional running coach to determine the ideal running or jogging workout routine that suits your fitness goals.
Interval Training
Interval training is a great way to add variety to your running or jogging workouts. This type of running or jogging workout involves alternating between higher and lower intensity amounts of running or jogging for set periods.
This can be a great way to get more out of your running or jogging workouts since it can help you to be able to push yourself further and further over time. Additionally, interval training helps to keep your runs interesting and can help to reduce the risk of boredom when you are out there running or jogging.
Definition And Benefits
Interval training involves alternating periods of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This training is an effective way to improve fitness levels, burn calories, and reduce the risk of various diseases.
Runners and joggers can incorporate different types of interval training workouts into their routines to achieve their fitness goals. Some different types of interval training workouts include Fartlek training, Hill repeats, Tabata intervals, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Each of these workouts has its unique structure, time duration, intensity, and rest periods and serves different fitness objectives.
By incorporating these different types of running or jogging workouts, athletes can improve their overall stamina, endurance, speed, and power while reducing the likelihood of injury. Pro Tip – Start with one type of interval training and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you progress to avoid burnout and injury.
Sample Interval Training Workouts
Interval training is an effective method to improve your running or jogging endurance while burning more calories in a shorter time. Here are some different types of interval workouts to vary your routine:
1. Fartlek: |
This Swedish training technique involves alternating between high and low intensity without sticking to a strict time or distance schedule. |
2. Tabata: |
This intense interval workout consists of 20 seconds of high-intensity effort followed by 10 seconds of rest for a total of 4 minutes. |
3. Hill repeats: |
This workout involves running up and down a hill and is a great way to build strength and endurance. |
4. 400m intervals: |
Run hard for 400 meters and rest for a specified time before repeating for desired rounds. |
5. One-to-one ratio: |
Alternate between running and walking in equal time or distance intervals for a set duration. |
Incorporating different types of interval training workouts in your fitness plan can help prevent boredom, increase the intensity of your exercise, and improve overall performance.
Tips For Effective Interval Training
Interval training is a highly effective way to improve endurance, and cardiovascular health and burn calories. Here are some tips for making the most out of your interval training workouts:
1. |
Choose the right type of running or jogging workout depending on your fitness level and goals. |
2. |
Warm up before interval training to prevent injuries and prepare your body. |
3. |
Use high-intensity intervals to push your limits and challenge your cardiovascular system. |
4. |
Allow for recovery periods in between intervals to avoid overexertion and burnout. |
5. |
Gradually increase the duration and intensity of the intervals as you get stronger and fitter. |
6. |
Incorporate variety into your interval training routine to keep it interesting and avoid boredom. |
7. |
Cool down and stretch after the workout to promote flexibility and reduce muscle soreness. |
Remember to listen to your body and adjust the workout as necessary. With consistent effort and dedication, interval training can help you achieve your fitness goals and enhance your overall well-being.
Endurance Training
Regarding running or jogging, endurance training is one of the most popular types of workouts. This type of workout focuses on increasing physical endurance, which can lead to better stamina, improved speed, and better performance in running or jogging. Endurance training also helps prevent injuries and fatigue from running or jogging, so it is an important type of workout for any runner or jogger to consider.
Definition And Benefits
Endurance training refers to physical activity to enhance an individual’s endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and stamina. Running and jogging are two popular types of endurance training. There are various types of running or jogging workouts that one can try for endurance training, each offering unique benefits.
These are the different types of running or jogging workouts:
Tempo runs |
Interval runs |
Fartlek runs |
Long distance or steady-state runs |
Each workout targets different aspects of endurance training and offers various physiological and psychological benefits, such as increased aerobic capacity, enhanced fat burning, and increased mental toughness. Incorporating different types of running or jogging workouts into your exercise routine is beneficial to prevent boredom and achieve optimal results.
Sample Endurance Training Workouts
There are several types of endurance training workouts that you can incorporate into your running or jogging routine to improve your stamina and increase your endurance.
Some of the most popular types of endurance training workouts include
Long Runs: |
These are steady-paced runs that aim to improve your overall endurance by gradually increasing the distance you can run without stopping. |
Tempo Runs: |
Tempo runs involve running at a comfortably hard pace for an extended period, to improve your lactate threshold, which is the point at which your body starts to fatigue. |
Interval Runs: |
This workout alternates between short, high-intensity intervals and rest periods to improve your speed and endurance. |
Fartlek Runs: |
Fartlek runs are unstructured, spontaneous workouts that involve varying your pace at random intervals, effectively mimicking the changes in pace and intensity that occur during real-life running situations like races or competitions. |
Hill Runs: |
Hill runs involve incorporating hills into your running routine, which can help to build strength, power, and endurance. |
Pro Tip: It’s essential to mix up your training routine to prevent boredom and injury. Incorporating different types of endurance workouts will help keep your exercise routine exciting, challenge your body, and maximize your results.
Tips For Effective Endurance Training
Endurance training is essential for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve their stamina and overall health. Different running or jogging workouts can be incorporated into your endurance training to help you achieve your goals effectively.
Here are some tips for effective endurance training:
Mix up your running workouts by incorporating different types of running or jogging, such as interval training, tempo runs, and hill repeats. |
Incorporate cross-training into your endurance training routine to minimize the risk of injury and to work on other areas of your fitness, such as strength and flexibility. |
Gradually increase your endurance training time and intensity to avoid overtraining and burnout. |
Fuel your body with a healthy, balanced diet to provide the energy and nutrients needed for endurance training. |
Rest and recover adequately between endurance training sessions to allow your body to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. |
Combining the different types of running or jogging workouts with these tips for effective endurance training can improve your overall fitness and achieve your running goals while minimizing the risk of injury.
Hill Training
Hill training is one of the best and most effective running or jogging workouts you can do. It helps build strength, speed, and endurance. It’s also a great way to challenge yourself and push your body to its limits.
Hill training can be done on any terrain but is especially effective on an incline. Let’s look closer into hill training and why it’s such an important type of workout.
Definition And Benefits
Hill training is a type of running or jogging workout that involves running up and down hills to improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and strength. These workouts can be modified to suit runners of all levels, and they offer a variety of benefits, including
Benefit |
Description |
Increased endurance |
Running up hills challenges your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, promoting greater lung capacity and oxygen uptake. |
Improved strength |
Hill training targets the muscles of the lower body, including the glutes, quads, and calves, improving overall lower body strength and power. |
Reduced risk of injury |
By incorporating hill running into your workout routine, you can help prevent overuse injuries by reducing the impact on your joints during regular runs. |
Types of Hill Workouts: Hill repeats, Fartlek Runs, Hill circuits, Hike-and-run, or Treadmill Running.
Sample Hill Training Workouts
Hill training is a highly effective way to improve your running or jogging performance and overall fitness level. There are different types of hill training workouts that you can include in your training regime:
Short hill repeats: |
This involves running up a hill, then jogging or walking down, and repeating the process. It is ideal for building leg strength, speed, and power. |
Long hill repeats: |
This involves running up a long hill at a challenging pace, jogging or walking back down, and repeating the process. It is ideal for building endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and mental toughness. |
Hill sprints: |
This involves running up a steep hill as fast as possible, then walking back down, and repeating the process. It is ideal for building explosive power, speed, and anaerobic fitness. |
Hill bounding: |
This involves taking longer strides and jumping up the hill while maintaining a steady pace. It is ideal for building explosive power, strength, and speed. |
Pro Tip: Start with short hill repeats and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to avoid injury and achieve optimal results.
Tips For Effective Hill Training
Hill training is a type of running or jogging workout that can improve your physical endurance and overall health. There are different types of hill training workouts that you can try depending on your fitness level, training goals, and preferences. Here are some tips for effective hill training:
Start Slow: |
If you’re new to hill training, start with short and gradual hills and increase the intensity over time. |
Mix It Up: |
Include different types of hill workouts in your routine, such as short sprints, long intervals, and hill repeats. |
Focus on Form: |
Maintain a good posture, engage your core and glutes, and avoid overstriding or shuffling your feet. |
Recover Adequately: |
Allow sufficient recovery time between hill workouts to prevent injury and avoid burnout. |
Challenge Yourself: |
Keep pushing your limits as you progress, but listen to your body and adjust your routine accordingly. |
Following these tips and incorporating hill training into your fitness routine can build strength and endurance, increase your metabolism, and enhance your overall fitness level. So, put on your running shoes, find a hill, and start climbing!
Fartlek Training
Fartlek training is a type of running workout that involves alternating your pace between low and high intensity during a single running session. This type of running workout focuses on increasing your speed, endurance, and overall fitness. It is great for beginners as well as more experienced runners.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits and how to implement Fartlek Training into your workouts best.
Definition And Benefits
Fartlek training is a type of running or jogging workout involving high-intensity intervals and steady-state running. This type of training can benefit runners of all levels, improving speed, cardiovascular endurance, and overall fitness. Fartlek training can be done in various ways, including running at a comfortable pace for several minutes, then sprinting for a set period, or alternating periods of high-intensity running with periods of rest or slower running. There are various types of Fartlek training, including steady-state, pyramid, and 30-20-10 Fartlek workouts. Fartlek training offers numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular endurance, increased speed and agility, and more efficient energy use. By incorporating Fartlek training into your running routine, you can challenge your body in new and exciting ways, improve your endurance and fitness, and take your running performance to new heights.
Sample Fartlek Training Workouts
Fartlek training is a type of running or jogging workout that involves alternating between periods of high-intensity sprinting and low-intensity jogging or walking. Here are three sample fartlek training workouts to try:
Workout |
Instructions |
Pyramid Fartlek |
Start with a warm-up jog for 10 minutes. Then, alternate running fast for 30 seconds and jogging for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the sprint intervals to 45 seconds, 60 seconds, and then back down to 30 seconds. Repeat for 30-45 minutes. |
Hill Sprints |
Find a hill with a steady incline, sprint up the hill, jog down, and repeat for 20-30 minutes. |
Tempo Fartlek |
Start with a warm-up jog for 10 minutes. Then, alternate between running at a moderate pace for 5 minutes and running at a fast pace for 1 minute. Repeat for 30-45 minutes. |
Incorporating different types of running or jogging workouts, like Fartlek training, into your routine can improve your cardiovascular fitness and endurance, burn fat, and increase your metabolism. Pro Tip: Start with shorter intervals and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your Fartlek training as you build endurance.
Tips For Effective Fartlek Training
Fartlek training is a type of running or jogging workout that alternates periods of fast and slow running to improve speed and endurance. Here are some tips for effective Fartlek training:
1. Plan out your workout by deciding how long you will run, what intervals you will use, and the type of terrain you will cover. |
2. Start with shorter intervals and progressively increase the speed and intensity of your run as your fitness improves. |
3. Don’t be afraid to mix up your intervals with different running styles, such as hills, sprints, or tempo runs, to keep yourself engaged and challenged. |
4. Listen to your body and take rest days when needed to avoid injury and burnout. |
Fartlek training is an effective tool for improving endurance, speed, and overall fitness. Incorporating a variety of intervals and runs in your Fartlek training helps challenge your body in different ways for maximum benefits.