We all know that exercise is boring, for the most part. Many of us do it because we have to, not necessarily because we want to. But there is a way to cut down on the length of time we exercise by using some HIIT exercises and intervals in our routine. Doesn’t that sound like a dream come true?
What is HITT training? Check this out.
What is HIIT Training and How Does It Help You?
HIIT Training Basics
There has been a lot of buzz about HIIT, also known as High-Intensity Interval Training. HIIT refers to little spurts of continuous high and low-intensity cardiovascular exercises that get done for specific intervals of time. A HIIT training session should last for less than 20 minutes.
What HIIT Training Entails
HIIT exercise includes warming up for 3 to 4 minutes, followed by sprinting hard for 30 seconds at the very fastest level you could achieve. After that, you do 60 to 90 seconds of walking or light jogging to recover. This is what is termed the interval. Once that is completed, you would then repeat the interval roughly 6 to 10 times, depending upon your fitness level, before completing the workout with a cool down lasting between 3 to 4 minutes.
Research has shown that HIIT has benefits that last much longer than most other cardio workouts, including long distance running. One study even found that 2.5 hours of rigorous HIIT training offers the same benefits as 10.5 hours of long distance training. Therefore, HIIT will benefit your metabolism significantly. When compared to doing cardio at the steady pace, you will now burn more fat in lesser time.
Many fitness professionals use different exercises to obtain a HIIT session, not just sprints. Some will even do 1 minute intervals to raise that heart rate throughout a workout session.
HIIT Improves Endurance and Stamina
You can significantly improve your endurance and stamina with a HIIT workout. Your VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen that you can take in during a session of exercise, and HIIT drastically increase your VO2 peak. This offers you the ability to perform many different types of activities for longer periods of time. If you have a hard time running on the treadmill for more than 5 minutes at a time, you will see a major improvement following HIIT activities in the long run.
HIIT is Fun!
HIIT helps to breaks the boredom of regular even-paced cardio workouts. Many people have a hard time making themselves workout regularly because truth be told, doing the same thing over and over again can get boring. With HIIT, you’ll instead be spending a lot less time exercising.
Additionally, the different intervals make things a lot more interesting. Also, you always have to push yourself just to make it through the various intervals, therefore the workout is always over before you know it. Plus, many people end up losing more weight and toning using HIIT
No matter what your purpose is for wanting to the workout, HIIT training can no doubt be exactly the type of the workout that will help you achieve your fitness goals. As with any exercise change, check with your doctor if you think it would be a strain for your body.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.