HIIT workouts — what they're about and how they work

Posted on fitness And tagged Hiit, workout, exercise, fitness, HIIT workouts

Are you constantly hearing about HIIT's almost magical abilities to burn fat, but don't know what to make of this hype? We've put together everything you need to know: How HIIT works and how to get started.

Are you unable to notice any significant changes in yourself even though you exercise regularly? Then you should definitely try out HIIT. What is HIIT training? It's simple: high-intensity interval training.

HIIT is efficient, convenient, and extremely effective. But what is HIIT training? It consists of short intervals of intense activity followed by short breaks or intervals of light activity. HIIT workouts usually last around 30 minutes, but there are also special forms of HIIT training, such as Tabata training, which really makes you sweat in just four minutes.

But how exactly does HIIT work?

Give it all

If you're not struggling for breath at every HIIT interval, you're not trying hard enough. As the name suggests, a HIIT workout is only effective if you work as intensely as you can and push your body to its limits.

That's exactly why HIIT sessions are shorter than other, more traditional workouts. It is simply impossible to maintain such a high intensity over a longer period of time. As strenuous as HIIT workouts are, they're just as effective. The harder you work out, the more you use your body and force it to adapt. And that is exactly the secret of HIIT...

HIIT burns lots of calories — and fast

An endurance run requires our body to save energy and only use it slowly to make it to the finish line. HIIT is the complete opposite. They'll be begging for every bit of energy and hoping to hold out until the next break. Because you train multiple muscle groups at the same time and your heart rate increases significantly, your body requires a larger amount of oxygen, which in turn burns more calories. So it's only good if you're gasping for breath within 30 seconds of your eighth burpee — it means you're getting rid of tons of calories.

HIIT stimulates metabolism

The effects of HIIT last even after the workout is finished, which is always an advantage from our perspective. Thanks to the so-called increased oxygen intake after work, your metabolism remains at an elevated level for some time after training, even if you lie comfortably on the sofa afterwards. In doing so, your body slowly replenishes its energy reserves and starts repairing muscle proteins that were damaged during exercise.

How often should I do a HIIT workout?

While it may be tempting to do HIIT regularly, overstraining your body will only result in less performance at every interval. It is best to do three HIIT workouts a week so that your body has enough time to recover from the exertion and you can return to full performance the next time you work out.

Are you ready...?

We emphasize once again, HIIT is an extremely demanding form of training. If you want to take on the challenge and reap the benefits of shorter, more intense workouts, there's no better method than HIIT.

Do you need someone to motivate and support you to achieve your goals? Get the help of a Holmes Place Personal Trainers and train more effectively than ever before.

Posted on fitness And tagged Hiit, Workout, Workout, Exercise, Fitness, HIIT Workouts.