High intensity interval training or HIIT is a unique method of training that will involve changing your pace and the effort you put into the workout. It is different from steady state cardio that usually allows you to keep your pace. When you walk on the treadmill for an hour in medium speed this is called steady state cardio. It is good for your health and will help you lose weight. But HIIT, involves using the treadmill at different speeds. After walking or running at medium speed, you would increase your speed or inclination for a minute then get back to normal. You will have to repeat this several times so that your muscles don’t get used to the effort.
One of the drawbacks of steady state cardio is that after a while your muscles get used to the effort and they start to burn fewer calories. HITT is different because it keeps your muscles in a continuous alert and anticipating state. In this article we will focus on the benefits of HIIT as a way to keep fit, stay healthy and lose weight effectively:
Build your endurance: HIIT alters the cellular structure of the muscles which enables them to work harder and faster. People who engage in HIIT are able to work out more and for longer periods at the same pace without feeling tired.
You burn more calories and fats: Engaging in HIIT will help your body burn more fats and calories over a shorter period of time. This is because the muscles will be pushed to the maximum. This is why engaging in a short HIIT will burn more fat and calories than the amount you lose by jogging for an hour.
Effective use of energy: High Intensity Interval Training teaches your body how to use the energy it has effectively. Your body will utilize the energy it has to work out during the hard sessions while it will be allowed to rest and recover during the rest periods. The rest periods will also help your body flush out the toxins that will gather in the muscles.
Boosts your metabolism rate: High Intensity Interval Training will allow you to breathe in more oxygen which in turn will increase the metabolism rate in your body. Your increased metabolism will help you burn more fats and calories as you work out.
Burn calories after working out: HIIT is characterized by allowing the body to burn fats and calories even in rest periods; this means after your leave the gym. Your body will get used to the high intensity workout and rest period’s technique that it will keep on burning the fats even when you are chilling in front of TV.
It is more fun: Because HIIT is fast and intense you will probably get more kick out of it. Engaging in a fast and effective exercise routine will encourage you to stick to it more. As you start to see more and faster results you will get encouraged not to skip your workout routine as opposed to a steady cardio that might get boring after a while.
It is cost-efficient: You don’t really need any equipment or weight to make your HIIT effective. In fact using weights can make the routine less effective. You need to use your own body weight to have an effective workout. If you don’t have a spinning bike or a rope to skip you can engage in high knees or jumping jacks to give your body that rush of energy that will keep your heart beating fast and will give you the enormous benefits of HIIT.
You will lose fat weight not muscles: HIIT ensures that the weight you lose comes from your stored fat and not from your muscles. People who go on diets always suffer from the problem of losing body muscles with fat due to the body’s defense mechanism. While steady cardio helps you maintain your muscle weight, HIIT will actually help you grow it. So you will not just be losing fats but you will be replacing this fat with muscles. This means that you will have a more toned and flexible body.
It is flexible: The best thing about HIIT is that you can design your own workout routine. If you engage in running today you can switch to biking tomorrow. The key is to work really hard for 30 seconds then allow your body to rest by working out in a slower pace for 30 seconds or so before repeating the whole thing again. The options are unlimited.