Researchers show that women actually get a slightly better growth hormone response from high-intensity exercise than men.

Leading researchers from the University of Virginia Clinical Research Center conclude; "Gender comparisons revealed that women had greater production rate, and a trend for a greater mass of G H secreted per pulse than men," (Gender governs the relationship between exercise intensity and growth hormone release in young adults, 2002, Pritzlaff-Roy).

What Does this Study Mean to You?

Since researchers show that exercise induced growth hormone release occurs in a linear dose-response to high-intensity training, perhaps it's worth the time to evaluate your current fitness program and ask the question, "Am I really training with intensity, or am I just going through the motions for long time periods?"

Frequently Asked Question

Do I have to actually run the Sprint 8 Workout, or is there another way? You can achieve the same results with your favorite piece of cardio equipment -- treadmill, exercise cycle, recumbent bike (sitting back, with legs raised in front of you), stepper, or elliptical unit. Many other methods can be used for the Sprint 8 Workout. You just need to hit the four growth hormone release benchmarks listed in Ready Set Go! Synergy Fitness.

The Take Home

After physician clearance, begin a comprehensive fitness program like Level One Ready Set Go Fitness (there are five programs for five different fitness levels), and progressively increase training intensities for maximum results.