Bodyweight Cardio Research

This might be the most interesting – and shocking – workout study ever.

Crazy Canadian researchers at Queen’s University (my sister’s alma mater) tested a Turbulence Training style workout against long cardio. (Reference: Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Sep 20.)

22 college-aged women did 4 workouts per week for 4 weeks in one of three groups.

Group A did 30 minutes of treadmill running at 85% max heart rate

Group B did 8 rounds of 20 seconds of a single exercise (burpees, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, or squat thrusts) with 10 seconds of rest between rounds.

Group C did nothing (they were the non-training control group).

Results:
Both training groups increased their aerobic fitness levels by the SAME amount (about 7-8%). That’s right, the short bodyweight workouts (of 4 minutes) worked just as well as 30 minutes of cardio. Shocking.

BUT…only Group B, the TT style training, also increased muscular endurance in common exercises like chest presses, leg extensions, sit-ups, and push-ups.

And finally, the TT style training used by Group B also resulted in greater overall workout enjoyment.

The Crazy Canadian Scientists concluded that “extremely low volume bodyweight interval-style training” will boost cardiovascular fitness just as well as cardio while giving you BETTER improvements in muscle endurance. All in just 4 minutes.

Now you see why I use exercises like the 20-10 bodyweight squat move that I call “Punisher X”.