About 2 years ago I first learned the benefits of interval sprint training and since then I've fallen in love with it. Although it's not a "regular" part of my workout routine because my normal workouts are so intense, I still throw them in a few times per month just to take advantage of the benefits.

So today I want to give you 5 reasons you should start interval sprint training today, even if you're out of shape right now.

1) Anyone Can Do It - You might think of sprint training as going 100% all out until you're exhausted and fall over. However, if you're out of shape all you have to do is work into it. The first few times, just sprint at 50-75% intensity and each time just sprint a little harder. It really is that simple!

2) Takes Almost No Time - I can warm up, do my sprint workout and be back at my house (I live by a hill) in literally 15 or 20 minutes depending on how intense I want to go. Plus even if you don't live by a hill, you can do interval sprint training on a treadmill at the highest speed and on an incline! I regularly do this if it's too cold outside or I don't feel like running outside for some reason.

3) Boosts Your Metabolism - Although it doesn't boost your metabolism like a lot of people think, sprinting is taxing on your body and your body will respond by boosting your metabolism for around 24 hours. This increase isn't enough to shed fat off your body like many people will make you believe, but it's still better than slow cardio!

4) It's Fun - The first few times you try this type of exercising you might hate it because, well, it's hard. However a funny thing happens after awhile - you start enjoying the challenge! I don't know why this happens, but it does. You'll all of a sudden start enjoying going all-out and seeing if you can run longer or harder.

5) Makes You Young - Human growth hormone (hGH) is one of the main factors that keeps you looking and feeling young. It also declines about 80% from age 21-61. But when you do interval sprint training, it boosts your hGH so you get kind of a "combination" effect of burning more calories in a shorter period of time, plus increasing the hormone that makes you look and feel younger!

Sprint training is very quickly becoming popular among people trying to lose weight. It helps you burn fat quicker, is absolutely incredible for your body, and if you're creative, can be used in almost any exercise. For example you can do interval sprint training with an elliptical fitness machine, up a hill, up bleachers at a stadium, or even on a stationary bike.

I bet if you try interval sprint training you'll quickly fall in love with it. I know I did!