{"id":46692,"date":"2022-10-09T23:54:50","date_gmt":"2022-10-09T23:54:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=46692"},"modified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","slug":"fartlek-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#What_Is_The_Difference_Between_Fartlek_Training_And_Interval_Running\" >What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Interval Running?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#The_Benefits_Of_Fartlek_Workouts\" >The Benefits Of Fartlek Workouts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Tune_In_To_Your_Body\" >Tune In To Your Body<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Make_It_Your_Own\" >Make It Your Own<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Improve_Your_Anaerobic_Threshold\" >Improve Your Anaerobic Threshold<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Boost_Your_Metabolism\" >Boost Your Metabolism<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Get_A_Mental_Boost\" >Get A Mental Boost<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#The_Downsides_Of_Fartlek_Training\" >The Downsides Of Fartlek Training<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Lack_Of_Structure\" >Lack Of Structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#You_Might_Not_Be_Ready\" >You Might Not Be Ready<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Potential_For_Injury\" >Potential For Injury<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#How_Often_Should_You_Do_Fartlek_Training\" >How Often Should You Do Fartlek Training?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#How_Long_Should_A_Fartlek_Run_Be\" >How Long Should A Fartlek Run Be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#What_Is_The_Difference_Between_Fartlek_Training_And_Tempo_Runs\" >What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Tempo Runs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Tips_For_Successful_Fartlek_Training\" >Tips For Successful Fartlek Training<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Start_Slow\" >Start Slow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Gear_Up\" >Gear Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Warm_Up\" >Warm Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Cool_Down\" >Cool Down<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Dont_Neglect_Rest\" >Don&#8217;t Neglect Rest<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#Get_your_personalized\" >Get your personalized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Swedish word &#8220;fartlek&#8221; means &#8220;speed play,&#8221; and that&#8217;s exactly what this type of training is all about. Much like interval training, fartlek training alternates between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the beauty of fartlek training is that it can be done anywhere, without any special equipment or facilities. All you need is a stopwatch or some other type of timer, and you&#8217;re good to go.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New to fartlek training? Wondering how it can benefit your running? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about fartlek training, from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the benefits of this type of workout.<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_The_Difference_Between_Fartlek_Training_And_Interval_Running\"><\/span><strong>What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Interval Running?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both fartlek training and interval running involve alternating between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery, there are two key differences between the two. With interval <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-on-an-empty-stomach\/\">training<\/a>, the periods of high and low intensity are predetermined.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, you might run for two minutes at a hard pace, followed by two minutes of easy running, and repeat this cycle for the duration of your workout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With fartlek training, on the other hand, the periods of high and low intensity are not predetermined. Instead, you simply vary your pace based on how you&#8217;re feeling in the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, you might run at a comfortable pace for a few minutes, and then pick up the pace for a minute or two when you feel like it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another difference between fartlek training and interval training is that interval training allows you to stop and rest in between the periods of high-intensity effort, whereas with fartlek training, the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/smoking-and-running\/\">low-intensity<\/a> periods are typically just a slight slowdown in pace rather than an all-out rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll run continuously during a fartlek workout, only varying your speed as you feel necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/benefits-of-hill-running\/\"><i>Benefits Of Hill Running And How To Do It Correctly<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32551 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"fartlek training\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9-1636x920.jpg 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/2-9.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Benefits_Of_Fartlek_Workouts\"><\/span><strong>The Benefits Of Fartlek Workouts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many benefits associated with fartlek training, including the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tune_In_To_Your_Body\"><\/span><strong>Tune In To Your Body<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional interval training can be tough on the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/how-to-increase-stamina-for-running\/\">body<\/a>, especially if you&#8217;re pushing yourself to your max effort. With fartlek training, however, you can better tune in to how your body is feeling on any given day and adjust your workout accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re not feeling up for a hard effort, you can simply back off the pace and take it easy. You&#8217;re allowed to experiment with different speeds and really listen to your body, which can make for a more enjoyable and sustainable workout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_It_Your_Own\"><\/span><strong>Make It Your Own<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek workouts are also great because they can be customized to fit your individual needs and goals. If you&#8217;re training for a specific race, you can design your fartlek workout to simulate the race conditions you&#8217;ll be facing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you&#8217;re training for a 10K race, you might do a fartlek <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walk-to-run-program\/\">workout<\/a> that alternates between two minutes of hard running and one minute of easy running.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also tailor your fartlek workouts to the type of terrain you&#8217;ll be running on during your race. If you&#8217;re training for a hilly race, you can do a fartlek workout on hilly terrain. Or, if you&#8217;re training for a trail race, you can do your fartlek workout on trails. The possibilities are endless!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it&#8217;s not just race-specific fartlek workouts that can be customized. You can also tailor your fartlek workouts to your overall training goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you&#8217;re looking to build endurance, you might do a longer fartlek workout with more low-intensity periods. Or, if you&#8217;re looking to boost your speed, you might do a shorter fartlek workout with more high-intensity periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_Your_Anaerobic_Threshold\"><\/span><strong>Improve Your Anaerobic Threshold<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your anaerobic threshold is the point at which your body starts to produce more lactic acid than it can remove. This build-up of lactic acid leads to muscle fatigue, and ultimately, slowing down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training can help improve your anaerobic threshold by increasing your VO2 max, which is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during exercise (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33451086\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32548 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"fartlek training\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5-1636x920.jpg 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you wish to cinch your waist, tone up your bat wings, blast away the muffin top \u2013 our fitness app was created to cater to all your needs! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\">BetterMe won\u2019t give excess weight a chance<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Boost_Your_Metabolism\"><\/span><strong>Boost Your Metabolism<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise, in general, is great for boosting your metabolism. But high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is particularly effective at revving up your metabolism and helping your body burn more calories both during and after <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/swimming-vs-running\/\">exercise<\/a> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2022\/05\/220531151946.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And because fartlek training is a form of HIIT, it can also help boost your metabolism. In fact, one study found that people who did a HIIT workout burned more calories in the 24 hours after exercise than those who did a steady-state workout at the same level of intensity (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27747847\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_A_Mental_Boost\"><\/span><strong>Get A Mental Boost<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-with-a-weight-vest\/\">training<\/a> can also be great for your mental health (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1470658\/#:~:text=Exercise%20improves%20mental%20health%20by,self%2Desteem%20and%20cognitive%20function.&amp;text=Exercise%20has%20also%20been%20found,self%2Desteem%20and%20social%20withdrawal.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like other types of exercise, fartlek training can help to alleviate stress and improve your mood. But since you can vary the pace during a fartlek workout, it can also help to give you a mental boost by providing a sense of variety and keeping your mind engaged (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1470658\/#:~:text=Exercise%20improves%20mental%20health%20by,self%2Desteem%20and%20cognitive%20function.&amp;text=Exercise%20has%20also%20been%20found,self%2Desteem%20and%20social%20withdrawal.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Downsides_Of_Fartlek_Training\"><\/span><strong>The Downsides Of Fartlek Training<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are many benefits associated with fartlek <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/interval-running-for-beginners\/\">training<\/a>, there are also a few potential downsides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lack_Of_Structure\"><\/span><strong>Lack Of Structure<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The flexible nature of fartlek training is a double-edged sword. While it&#8217;s great that you can tailor your workout to your specific needs and goals, the lack of structure can also be a downside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some people, the lack of structure can make it difficult to stay motivated. It can be easy to start slacking off and cut your workout short if you don&#8217;t have a set plan to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can also be difficult to gauge your progress when you&#8217;re doing fartlek training. Without a set plan, it can be hard to tell if you&#8217;re improving or not. You might overestimate how hard you&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-in-place\/\">working<\/a>, or you might not push yourself hard enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re someone who thrives on structure and likes to see tangible <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-while-overweight\/\">results<\/a> from your workouts, then fartlek training might not be the best option for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_Might_Not_Be_Ready\"><\/span><strong>You Might Not Be Ready<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training is a high-intensity workout, and it&#8217;s important to make sure you&#8217;re physically and mentally prepared before you jump into it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re just starting out with exercise, or if you&#8217;ve been inactive for a while, you might want to ease into things with some low-intensity workouts before you try fartlek training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same goes for if you&#8217;re dealing with any injuries or other health issues. Make sure to talk to your doctor before you start a new workout routine, and listen to your body while you&#8217;re exercising.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32234 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Frame-4568-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Frame-4568.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Frame-4568-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Frame-4568.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Frame-4568.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Potential_For_Injury\"><\/span><strong>Potential For Injury<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training poses a higher risk of injury than other types of workouts. Beginners who are more prone to shin splints (pain in the lower legs), for example, might want to steer clear of this type of training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s because when you&#8217;re constantly changing speeds, it can be easy to overdo it and wind up putting too much stress on your muscles and joints. If you&#8217;re not careful, you could end up with an injury that sidelines you for weeks or even months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overuse injuries are also a risk with fartlek training. Because you&#8217;re constantly changing speeds, it&#8217;s easy to get too caught up in the workout and push yourself too hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself feeling excessively tired or sore after your workouts, or if you start to experience any pain or discomfort, make sure to take a break and let your body recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/overweight-running\/\"><i>Overweight Running: A Beginner\u2019s Guide On Fitness And Nutrition<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Often_Should_You_Do_Fartlek_Training\"><\/span><strong>How Often Should You Do Fartlek Training?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training is a high-intensity workout, so you don&#8217;t need to do it every day. In fact, you might even want to take a day or two off in between fartlek workouts to allow your body to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How often you do fartlek training will also depend on your fitness level and goals. If you&#8217;re just starting out, you might want to do fartlek workouts once or twice a week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re more experienced, you can increase the frequency to three or four times per week. And if you&#8217;re training for a specific event, you might want to do fartlek workouts every day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, the key is to listen to your body and not overdo it. If you start to feel excessively tired or sore, or if you&#8217;re dealing with any injuries or health issues, make sure to take a break.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Should_A_Fartlek_Run_Be\"><\/span><strong>How Long Should A Fartlek Run Be?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the length of a fartlek run. It will depend on your fitness level, goals, and the amount of time you have available. All that matters is you vary your speeds throughout the run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re just starting out, you might want to keep your fartlek runs on the shorter side. A good rule of thumb is to start with a warm-up of about 10 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of intervals, and then a cool-down of 10 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you get more experienced, you can increase the length of your intervals and the overall duration of your run. Just make sure you don&#8217;t push yourself too hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32188 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4476-1024x576.png\" alt=\"fartlek training\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4476.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4476-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4476.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4476.png 1344w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_The_Difference_Between_Fartlek_Training_And_Tempo_Runs\"><\/span><strong>What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Tempo Runs?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training and tempo runs are both types of interval training, but there are some key differences between the two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With fartlek training, the intervals are unstructured, which means you can vary your speeds as you see fit. Tempo runs, on the other hand, are structured, meaning the intervals are predetermined and you maintain a consistent pace throughout the workout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training is also typically done at a lower intensity than tempo runs. That&#8217;s because with tempo runs, the goal is to push yourself to your anaerobic threshold, which is the point at which your body can no longer supply oxygen to your muscles fast enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek training, on the other hand, can be done at any intensity, which makes it a good option for beginners or anyone who wants to take a more relaxed approach to interval training.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe is your fast-track ticket to a long-lasting weight loss! <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\">Tailor your fitness journey and maximize your results<\/a> with just a couple of swipes!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32181 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4474-1024x576.png\" alt=\"fartlek training\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4474.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4474-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4474.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Frame-4474.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_For_Successful_Fartlek_Training\"><\/span><strong>Tips For Successful Fartlek Training<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re new to fartlek training, here are a few tips to help you get started:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start_Slow\"><\/span><strong>Start Slow<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with any type of workout, it&#8217;s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity. If you go too hard too soon, you could wind up injured or excessively sore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gear_Up\"><\/span><strong>Gear Up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you have the right gear before you start your workout. This includes comfortable shoes and clothes that won&#8217;t restrict your movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Warm_Up\"><\/span><strong>Warm Up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start your intervals, make sure to warm up with a 10-minute jog or walk. This will help get your muscles and joints ready for the workout ahead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cool_Down\"><\/span><strong>Cool Down<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After your workout, take some time to cool down with a 10-minute jog or walk. This will help your body recover and reduce soreness the next day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_Neglect_Rest\"><\/span><strong>Don&#8217;t Neglect Rest<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek is a high-intensity workout, so it&#8217;s important to take rest days in between. This will help your body recover and reduce the risk of injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fartlek is a great way to add some variety to your workouts and challenge your body in new ways. But it&#8217;s important to remember that this type of training is high-intensity and can be tough on your body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you&#8217;re physically and mentally prepared before you start, and listen to your body while you&#8217;re exercising.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <section class=\"ad-single-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-title-wrapper\">\n            <h3 class=\"ad-single-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_personalized\"><\/span>Get your personalized<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n            <span class=\"ad-single-sub-title color-green\">\n                <svg class=\"icon-sparkle\" width=\"36\" height=\"21\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                          d=\"M34.6837 0.515943C34.8247 0.835947 34.9421 1.16291 34.9891 1.48987C35.1417 2.64466 35.3179 6.51949 35.2592 7.29863C35.2592 7.53515 35.1887 7.7995 35.0243 8.01516C34.7307 8.39777 33.9791 8.4256 33.5681 8.07081C33.4154 7.94559 33.3215 7.77863 33.2745 7.61863C33.1453 7.15254 33.0396 6.68645 32.9809 6.22035C32.8165 4.81512 32.6638 3.40293 32.5581 1.9977C32.5229 1.53161 32.6051 1.05856 32.6991 0.592466C32.7695 0.244637 33.251 -0.0197144 33.6973 0.00115537C34.2257 0.0289818 34.5546 0.230723 34.6837 0.515943ZM18.6184 9.78225C18.5734 9.67557 18.5344 9.57528 18.4971 9.47956C18.4178 9.27568 18.3465 9.09257 18.2426 8.91267C16.7159 6.24133 14.2615 3.86217 11.4665 1.60128C11.1377 1.33693 10.7267 1.08649 10.2687 0.919531C10.0221 0.829095 9.52885 0.843009 9.247 0.933445C9.03562 1.00301 8.88295 1.27432 8.92992 1.42736C9.01213 1.71954 9.18828 2.01868 9.4349 2.28303C11.0555 4.02913 12.6879 5.76829 14.3437 7.50048C14.8308 8.0068 15.3395 8.50887 15.8473 9.01L15.8473 9.01001C15.9883 9.14921 16.1293 9.28833 16.2697 9.42746C16.4811 9.64311 16.7159 9.85181 16.9626 10.0466C17.2327 10.2692 17.6437 10.4014 18.0547 10.2553C18.0691 10.2501 18.0836 10.245 18.0981 10.2399C18.1097 10.2358 18.1213 10.2318 18.1329 10.2278C18.3785 10.1424 18.6184 10.0589 18.6184 9.78225ZM1.98942 20.1407C2.17783 20.1221 2.37674 20.105 2.58175 20.0875C2.99012 20.0525 3.42272 20.0154 3.84492 19.9598C6.34632 19.6259 8.84771 19.292 11.3374 18.9442C11.8776 18.8676 12.406 18.7355 12.8875 18.5824C13.5334 18.3807 13.7566 18.0954 13.6509 17.7824C13.5452 17.4694 13.1224 17.2746 12.3826 17.2676C11.8776 17.2607 11.3374 17.2676 10.8559 17.3372C7.69683 17.8102 4.5378 18.2972 1.3905 18.7911C1.03819 18.8468 0.674137 18.9442 0.404034 19.0833C-0.2771 19.4242 -0.065712 19.9598 0.803314 20.092C1.01858 20.1228 1.25262 20.1258 1.51135 20.1291C1.66195 20.131 1.82092 20.133 1.98942 20.1407Z\"\n                          fill=\"#17B991\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n               meal plan!\n            <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-desc-wrapper\">\n            <p class=\"ad-single-desc\">What's your main health goal?<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Lose weight<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2273&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Fartlek_Training\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Feel great<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <img class=\"ad-single-img\" alt=\"health-food\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/gridlove-child\/assets\/img\/ad\/health-food.webp\">\n    <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Swedish word &#8220;fartlek&#8221; means &#8220;speed play,&#8221; and that&#8217;s exactly what this type of training is all about. Much like interval training, fartlek training alternates between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery. However, the beauty of fartlek training is that it can be done anywhere, without any special equipment or facilities. All you need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":46713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"coauthors":[123],"class_list":["post-46692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workouts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. What are you waiting for?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. What are you waiting for?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nderitu Munuhe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nderitu Munuhe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nderitu Munuhe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/8052d70418817c9f20423fe7181441d9\"},\"headline\":\"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\"},\"wordCount\":2060,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Workouts\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Swedish word \\\"fartlek\\\" means \\\"speed play,\\\" and that's exactly what this type of training is all about. Much like interval training, fartlek training alternates between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">However, the beauty of fartlek training is that it can be done anywhere, without any special equipment or facilities. All you need is a stopwatch or some other type of timer, and you're good to go.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">New to fartlek training? Wondering how it can benefit your running? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about fartlek training, from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the benefits of this type of workout.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Interval Running?<\/strong><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While both fartlek training and interval running involve alternating between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery, there are two key differences between the two. With interval <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-on-an-empty-stomach\/\\\">training<\/a>, the periods of high and low intensity are predetermined.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, you might run for two minutes at a hard pace, followed by two minutes of easy running, and repeat this cycle for the duration of your workout.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With fartlek training, on the other hand, the periods of high and low intensity are not predetermined. Instead, you simply vary your pace based on how you're feeling in the moment.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, you might run at a comfortable pace for a few minutes, and then pick up the pace for a minute or two when you feel like it.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Another difference between fartlek training and interval training is tha ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/\",\"name\":\"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. 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He has written for three years \u2013 advising people on how to eat healthy and stay on top of their fitness plan. This, he believes, is the first step in having a healthy body and mind. Munuhe is passionate about football and is an avid Chelsea supporter. When he's not writing or watching the game, you can find him with his dog Lucky, taking time out from his desk for some much-needed R&amp;R.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/author\/nderitumunuhe\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started - BetterMe","description":"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. What are you waiting for?","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started","og_description":"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. What are you waiting for?","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_modified_time":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Nderitu Munuhe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nderitu Munuhe","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/"},"author":{"name":"Nderitu Munuhe","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/8052d70418817c9f20423fe7181441d9"},"headline":"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/"},"wordCount":2060,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg","articleSection":["Workouts"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Swedish word \"fartlek\" means \"speed play,\" and that's exactly what this type of training is all about. Much like interval training, fartlek training alternates between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the beauty of fartlek training is that it can be done anywhere, without any special equipment or facilities. All you need is a stopwatch or some other type of timer, and you're good to go.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New to fartlek training? Wondering how it can benefit your running? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about fartlek training, from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the benefits of this type of workout.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What Is The Difference Between Fartlek Training And Interval Running?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both fartlek training and interval running involve alternating between periods of high-intensity effort and low-intensity recovery, there are two key differences between the two. With interval <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/running-on-an-empty-stomach\/\">training<\/a>, the periods of high and low intensity are predetermined.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, you might run for two minutes at a hard pace, followed by two minutes of easy running, and repeat this cycle for the duration of your workout.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With fartlek training, on the other hand, the periods of high and low intensity are not predetermined. Instead, you simply vary your pace based on how you're feeling in the moment.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, you might run at a comfortable pace for a few minutes, and then pick up the pace for a minute or two when you feel like it.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another difference between fartlek training and interval training is tha ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/","name":"Fartlek Training: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fartlek-training\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/shutterstock_1706640808-scaled.jpg","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","description":"Learn everything you need to know about \u2605 FARTLEK TRAINING, \u27a4 from the difference between fartlek and interval training to the potential risks and benefits. 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He has written for three years \u2013 advising people on how to eat healthy and stay on top of their fitness plan. This, he believes, is the first step in having a healthy body and mind. Munuhe is passionate about football and is an avid Chelsea supporter. When he's not writing or watching the game, you can find him with his dog Lucky, taking time out from his desk for some much-needed R&amp;R.","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/author\/nderitumunuhe\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46692"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=46692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}