Intervals vs. Steady State Cardio

[JJFigure]

Basically, if you enjoy one form over another, that's the one you should go with. The key is being able to get your butt in the gym or to the track and do the training; if you hate steady state (like me), you will dread every minute of it. That's why I prefer sprinting - I actually enjoy my time on the track outdoors, plus it really kicks my @ss, so I feel like I really got a workout in. After steady state, I feel like I wasted 30-40 minutes of my life doing mind numbing exercise.

So do what you prefer to do - you'll probably put more energy into it and get more out of it in the long run.

 

[hellboy]

Here's some info on the training zones.
www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/hrm1.htm

The higher HR you mentioned would take you mostly out of the aerobic zone and put you more into the anerobic zone. So it's effectiveness really depends on what you're trying to acomplish.

Still everyone's zones are a little different and there's gonna be some 'slide' effect depending on current fitness levels etc.