Some people may find it difficult to do cardio exercises which is why some fitness experts encourage them to try HIIT workouts. HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training, thus, this type of workout is done in intervals with short periods of rest. It can be done by alternating between sprinting and walking or even just standing up quickly every few minutes.
What is HIIT Workout?
HIIT workout is interval training which has a lot of benefits. During normal training, you keep repeating the same activity every few seconds and every session lasts for hours. When doing HIIT workout, you alternate between high-intensity exercises that require more effort and exercises that require less effort.
You can use HIIT workout to replace cardio. For instance, you may do a normal routine of 20 minutes on an elliptical machine and another 20 minutes using exercise DVDs at home. You can replace the first sequence by doing 10 minutes of exercise DVDs and the other 10 minutes by sprinting outside or running upstairs.
In fact, you can do HIIT workout every day and it will still work because of the fast-paced activities. The secret to getting an effective HIIT workout is to make sure that your body doesn’t adapt to the activity since it only repeats for a few minutes or seconds each time. You can also break down your total workout into several sessions and complete them for added benefits.
What are the Benefits of HIIT Workout?
There are many reasons why people should perform HIIT workouts. It uses fat as fuel which results in weight loss since your body stores more calories when you do cardiovascular exercises compared to HIIT training. The good news is, even after performing an intense session of HIIT workout, you can still use more fat as fuel compared to an hour of cardio.
HIIT workouts are also safe. As long as the HIIT workout is done properly, there’s no need to worry about injuries or risks caused by strain or stress. You can even train your body to handle higher intensities if the training is performed gradually.
You should add HIIT workouts to your routine if you want a time-efficient workout. In fact, it only takes five minutes of HIIT workout for an effective session. You can do other activities while waiting in between sets and adjust the intensity according to your needs.
You don’t need any equipment when doing a HIIT workout which is why it’s easy to do at home. All you need is a stopwatch or timer and enough space in your bedroom or backyard. If you want to maximize the benefits of HIIT workouts, make sure that your sessions are done without breaks for at least 15 minutes.
However, there are still some people who prefer more traditional forms of cardio training since it can be easier. You can’t expect an intense session of HIIT workout in one day but you will eventually get there if you train regularly.
