High-intensity interval training (HIIT) describes any workout alternating periods of short, intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods. Serious athletes have long been singing its praises and here are a few reasons why you should include HIIT as part of your program.
- Efficiency – HIIT workouts can be done anywhere and most are 30 minutes or less. The idea is simple: less total time required to make a big change.
- Burns more fat – The very nature of HIIT and its intensity ensures you’ll burn maximum calories during the workout. It also sees that exertion kick your body’s repair cycle into hyperdrive, burning more fat and calories in the 24 hours after a HIIT workout than you would after less vigorous exercise.
- A healthy heart – HIIT increases the flexibility and elasticity of arteries and veins better than continuous aerobic exercise. Because of the increased pressure demand of HIIT, the vessels actually get a workout as well.
- Increase your metabolism- Combining high intensity with interval training results in exercise post oxygen consumption (EPOC), which speeds your metabolic rate so you’ll be burning fat after your workout. HIIT also stimulates production of your human growth hormone (HGH) during the 24 hours after you finish your workout. Given HGH is responsible for increased caloric burn and slowing down the aging process, it’s a win/win by all accounts!
- Maintains muscle mass – Further to the stimulation of HGH post workout, this encourages your body to build and preserve lean muscle mass while still ridding the body of excess fat.
- There is no such thing as boredom – Because of its time and intensity, you’ll be challenged every workout and you’ll see results quickly. You may be hurting but you definitely won’t be bored!