What is HIIT Workout and Why It Is Popular

HIIT workouts are the fastest and most efficient way to get in shape! If you are into the methods behind working out, you surely have heard of HIIT.  What is HIIT?  HIIT translates to high-intensity interval training.  HIIT workouts are fairly simple: push yourself to the max for a short period of time, and then give yourself the same amount (if not, more) resting time.

According to Joey Thurman, a certified personal trainer and author of 365 Health and Fitness Hacks That Could Save Your Life, the point of HIIT workouts is to “elevate your heart rate for a brief period, followed by resting for a given period.” What’s cool about HIIT is that is burns fat and builds your metabolism. “Research shows that intervals can repair your metabolism by reducing inflammation, forcing your body to improve its ability to use and burn energy.”  This ultimately means that HIIT workouts will allow you to burn fat with a fast rate, control your energy better, and easily burn calories.

How exactly do you do HIIT workouts? Well, he elaborates this method:

“You can train in a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio (sprint for 30 seconds, rest for 30), a 1:2 ratio (sprint for 30 seconds, rest for 1 minutes), a 1:3 ratio (sprint for 30 seconds, rest for 1.5 minutes), and so forth.”

Those who use HIIT workouts must use their maximum effort in that given period of time.

The problem with HIIT workouts is that many people fail to give their full effort.  Dalton Wong, a certified personal trainer and author of The Feel Good Plan: Happier, Healthier, and Slimmer in 15 Minutes a Day, explained that if you are sprinting and truly performing the HIIT workout, then “it should make you feel like your gas tank is completely empty.”  If you’re able to continue running that extra second, it simply means you didn’t push yourself hard enough.  HIIT workouts generally last for 7 to 10 minutes only.

People push themselves to do crazy things, like doing HIIT workouts every single day! You aren’t actually_­ supposed to be doing HIIT workouts 7 days a week, but rather a few times a week (preferably 2-3 times a week).  With HIIT workouts, you need to have at least 24-hour rest period for your body to recuperate.  If you overstrain yourself, you may feel tired, fatigue, and lower your overall athletic motivation and performance.

HIIT workouts are proven to be efficient and is popular in the fitness industry.  Make sure to give yourself a rest, push yourself during the HIIT workout, and to go at your own pace.

(Source: Greatist)