It’s common knowledge that exercise is good for you. However, there are times when it can be even more beneficial than others. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of these times. In this article we will cover what HIIT is, how to perform it correctly, and why you should consider adding it to your fitness routine.
What is HIIT?
HIIT is a form of cardiovascular exercise that alternates between high-intensity and low-intensity activities. As the name suggests, the intensity of the workout varies during a session. This is not to be confused with interval training, which involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise (such as sprinting) interspersed with periods of lower intensity activity (like walking or jogging).
HIIT has several benefits such as fat burning, raising your heart rate and improving your overall fitness level. In addition to increasing strength and endurance through HIIT workouts, it can help you lose weight fast!
Benefits of HIIT
HIIT is a great way to burn calories and get your metabolism back on track. You don’t need to spend hours at the gym doing endless reps. You can do one or two HIIT workouts per week, and still see results!
If you want to build muscle, HIIT is also ideal. High intensity exercises like running sprints and jumping rope are known as plyometric exercises—they help build muscle strength as well as endurance. Studies show that these types of workouts can increase your heart rate by 50 percent or more for up to an hour after you finish exercising! This means more oxygen-rich blood pumping through your body which leads to faster recovery time between workouts and better overall fitness levels over time!
How does HIIT work?
HIIT is a type of interval training where short bursts of intense exercise are followed by short periods of rest. This style of training has been proven to be more effective than traditional cardio at improving aerobic fitness and body composition, while also increasing the metabolism after exercise.
HIIT can be done in many different ways and can be modified based on your current fitness level or personal preference. Each individual workout will vary, but most HIIT sessions include an aerobic phase (for example, jogging), followed by an anaerobic phase (for example, sprinting). The aerobic phase lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes and burns fat; the anaerobic phase lasts for about 10 to 20 seconds at a time with high intensity bursts lasting anywhere from 15 to 45 seconds depending on what you’re doing with it (running, cycling etc.).
Cautions of HIIT
HIIT, like any other workout or activity, comes with a list of precautions. If you’re new to HIIT and want to try it out, consult with a professional trainer for guidance before jumping into the workout. You don’t want to risk injury without knowing how to properly execute each exercise!
Additionally, be sure to take breaks between sets. This can mean resting for 1 minute between each set or doing some light cardio like walking on the treadmill for 2 minutes before beginning your next set. It’s important not only because it gives you time off from stressing your body with intense exercise but also so that your muscles have time to recover and rebuild themselves stronger than before due to increased blood flow (which brings more oxygen). In fact, according one study conducted by researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that participants who took short breaks after intense workouts experienced less muscle soreness than those who didn’t rest at all. In addition, buying a deep muscle massager to relax your soreness of muscle is a good choice.
HIIT workouts are a great way to improve your fitness level and burn calories. The best thing about them is that they are time efficient, as they do not require long hours in the gym each day. You can get a full workout done in just 15 minutes without spending hours doing it!
