In the fitness world, HIIT has become one of the most popular acronyms in recent years. It encompasses several different workout experiences, such as boxing, strength training, rowing, running, and hybrids.
With so many different types of training associated with HIIT, you might be a bit confused about what it is and why it’s so popular. Before you hit the gym again, here’s what you need to know about HIIT.
How Does HIIT Work
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“High-Intensity Interval Training” refers to different types of exercise that you can do, such as running or weightlifting. One constant in HIIT programs is short periods of intense work followed by periods of rest or active recovery.
Why HIIT Workouts Are Important
HIIT works because of its intensity. The workout involves going hard, usually as hard as you can, for a short time, resting to recover, then going hard again. With its precise work-to-rest ratios, exercise and burning calories have never been easier than HIIT.
HIIT’s Primary Benefits
- Getting rid of fat
- Increase in metabolic rate
- An overall view of health
A Key To HIIT
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There are opportunities for you to go hard in the protocol, so you should take them. The trick is to work hard without being intense. It requires explosiveness and intensity during your workout. Work periods are longer than rest periods on group fitness scenes, minus the high-intensity aspects.
You Don’t Have To Do HIIT Every Time
Intense workout formats like this have become shorthand for any fitness class that incorporates multiple exercises, multiple stations, and plenty of sweat. There is so much talk about HIIT that those who have taken one might not completely understand why they are pushing so hard.
The Best Way To Do HIIT
To implement HIIT, you can use various equipment and training styles.
- Bodyweight workouts
- Strength training exercises (dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.)
- Treadmill sprints
- Stationary bike sprints
- Rower sprints
- Ski-Erg sprints
- Boxing rounds
- Battle Ropes
- Sled pushes and pulls