High-intensity interval training (or HIIT), is a widely popular form of exercise. Loved by athletes and usual gym goers alike, HIIT can help you take your exercise routine to the next level.
What is High Intensity Interval Training?
A large part of HIIT’s success is down to its main premise; if you’re working hard, you only need to train for 45 minutes to effectively burn fat and build muscle. The sessions are a combination of aerobic and resistance training, which are delivered in alternating short bursts of intense exercise, followed by low-intensity recovery periods.
Essentially HIIT promises the best possible workout in the shortest amount of time. The experts say that two or three HIIT sessions a week are enough to see clear results in your health and fitness. You can learn more about it from Personal Trainer London.
Why are fitness enthusiasts choosing HIIT workouts?
One of the advantages of HIIT is that when it comes to different exercises, anything goes. At its core is a quick and effective form of training that increases endurance without the boredom that can come from traditional long cardio workouts. Personal trainers often use a combination of sprinting, skipping, biking, bodyweight exercises and more. You don’t even need equipment to have an effective HIIT session!
It is this flexibility, coupled with the fact that research increasingly shows a clear link between HIIT and health improvement, it’s popularity continues to grow.
How does HIIT benefit weight loss?
If you’re looking for the best type of exercise to benefit weight loss, then HIIT is a great choice. Aerobic exercise (that make up the high intensity sections of HIIT) is far more effective at burning calories than regular cardio.
This is due to the fact that the intensity of HIIT helps to raise your metabolic rate even after your sessions. Once your workout is over, your body will work to replace energy and repair muscle proteins. This requires to tap into fat stores, and continue to effectively burn calories and fat long after your workout.
What are the health benefits of HIIT?
There are numerous health benefits of HIIT that have been scientifically proven; lowering heart rate and blood pressure, boosting heart health and increased metabolism. Here 4 more health benefits that see a lot of people choose HIIT as their exercise of choice.
- Improves Cardiovascular fitness, and fights against disease – HIIT works to strengthen your heart and oxygen intake, improving your overall stamina but also the health of your heart.
- Metabolic Effects – We’ve discussed how HIIT works to raise your metabolic rate even after your sessions, this doesn’t just work to burn calories and fat, but also the health of your metabolism and maintaining it over time.
- Fat Oxidation – Fat Oxidation refers to the process of fat being used as energy in the body. The switching between high and low intensity exercises in HIIT works to increase this process, important for people who are working towards weight loss goals.
- Brain Power – Finally, HIIT not only has cardiovascular benefits, but has also been proven to help prevent age-related cognitive decline, by helping the areas of your brain that forms memories and new skills.