There might have been a time when you heard the term “LISS” and thought it was another fitness trend that you needed to try. Kayla Itsines or similar fitness influencers have recently popularized LISS, or Low-Intensity Steady State, exercises, but they have existed since humans started working. LISS workouts can be as simple as walking.
Adrienne Herrenbruck, Ph.D., a certified exercise physiologist, said, “With LISS workouts, you do a low-intensity activity, like walking, at the same speed for a certain duration.”
Are LISS Workouts Good For You?
Eric Bowling, a NASM-certified personal trainer, said, “LISS is a great way to increase overall energy expenditure in a low impact and won’t negatively affect your strength training or gym workouts.”
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Bowling says LISS activities can boost Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), simply the energy you use not doing structured exercise or gym work.
Exercise With LISS Reduces Stress
She says, “Often we only associate stress with things such as work, school, relationships, etc. We can add lots of movement to our days without increasing our stress levels with LISS workouts. However, exercise itself is a stressor.”
It can be hard to recover from workouts like HIIT performed more than 1-2 times per week at the correct intensity. Herrenbruck implements LISS workouts in her clients’ routines due to their reliability and accessibility.
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It’s A Simple Exercise Method That Works
The health benefits of a gentle walk, bike ride, or swim are endless. Bowling says, “LISS has multiple benefits, and it is not taxing on your body and is easy to recover from.”
It’s easy to recover from LISS, so you can do as much as you want. Bowling says, “This means it’s a great tool to use for increasing your energy expenditure, particularly if weight loss is your goal.”
LISS is also great for stress relief and clearing your head if you have a busy life, just by getting outside in the fresh air and sunlight.