What are HIIT workouts? HIIT is an acronym for high intensity interval training. It isn’t a specific workout but a way of doing any workout. You alternate the intensity between high intensity and recovery. HIIT workouts burn tons of calories, but some are far better than others if you want to burn fat. There is a difference between the two. If you’re burning calories, those calories can come from both fat and muscle tissue. If you’re burning fat, you don’t deplete muscle tissue to use as energy.
HIIT workouts are successful because they allow your body to work at peak performance.
If you do steady-state workouts at peak performance, you can’t workout very long before your body has to rest. Alternating between peak performance and recovery allows you to take advantage of the massive benefits of a high-intensity workout longer. You’ll even burn calories after the workout ends. It’s called EPOC—Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. HIIT also helps improve overall health by lowering blood pressure, improving heart rate, reducing blood glucose levels, and boosting endurance.
The best HIIT workouts involve strength training.
You can do any type of strength training to reap huge benefits. Strength training builds muscle mass as it burns fat. Cardio HIIT workouts like running burn tons of calories, but those calories come from both fat and muscle tissue. You can do bodyweight exercises and create a total workout. Start with lunges for 30 seconds to a minute then do burpees for 30 seconds to a minute, followed by the same amount of time for squat jumps. Take a short rest and start the exercises again.
Use battle ropes for HIIT workouts.
It’s easy to modify the intensity when you use battle ropes. They make an excellent tool for HIIT workouts. You can also use weights. The key is to raise your heart rate for a minute and then alternate back to a recovery pace to allow your heart rate to lower. You can use kettlebells or dumbbells for HIIT workouts, too. It’s all about modifying the intensity.
- Doing squats of any type from traditional to goblet at peak intensity for a minute and then slowing it down to a recovery rate is a HIIT workout that will burn fat and build muscle.
- When you first start HIIT workouts, don’t push yourself. If you can only go at peak intensity for a few seconds, do it. If you need more recovery time than those few seconds, take them.
- HIIT workouts do more than just get you into shape and help you lose weight. They also help you stay younger longer. They lengthen the telomeres to protect cells and prevent cell damage that can cause aging.
- Before you attempt any HIIT workouts, learn the proper form of each exercise you do. Take it slower until you have the form perfect. Always check with your healthcare professional first before starting any exercise program.
For more information, contact us today at Reggie C. Fitness