Most of us are familiar with HIIT training, or have at least heard
the term before. For those who are foreign to the concept, HIIT
stands for “High Intensity Interval Training”. It is a method of
exercise which alternates short bursts of all-out activity with
periods for rest and recovery.
Instead of spending 20 minutes jogging, cycling, or swimming at the
same pace, a 20 minute HIIT workout may look something like this:
  • 30 seconds of sprinting
  • 45 seconds of walking
  • Repeat for 20 minutes
HIIT combines two of the most effective methods of burning fat: high
intensity training and interval training. You may think of HIIT as
another fitness fad, but from the looks of it, it is here to stay.
HIIT offers trainees several benefits, including:
  • Time-Efficient.
    Think
    you don’t have time to work out? Think again. Research shows that
    only 15 minutes of interval training can be more beneficial than
    running on a treadmill for an hour – you can do that on your lunch
    break!
  • Accelerate Weight
    Loss.     Long
    periods of steady exercise is good for the aerobic system, but does
    not challenge the anaerobic system. By incorporating HIIT into your
    regimen, you can break through your plateau and burn high amounts of
    fat in a short period of time.
  • No Equipment
    Needed.     One
    of the best things about HIIT is that it requires no equipment,
    which means you can do it anywhere. You can run, do jumping lunges,
    burpees, even jumping jacks – anything to get your heart going!
  • Heart Healthy.
    Like
    any cardiovascular training, HIIT is great for your heart. Help ward
    of obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, blood pressure
    problems, and more with 20 minutes of your time, three days a week.
  • The “Afterburn
    Effect”.     After
    an intense workout, your body is actually in an oxygen debt. To make
    up for it, you consume higher levels of oxygen well after your
    workout is over. The result? You burn more calories, even when you
    are done with your training session!
For more information about HIIT training, check out this infograph
from Greatist.com.
Looking for a place to get in your daily physical activity? If you
live in Fairfield County, Connecticut, come to Insports Centers!
Located at 29 Trefoil Drive in Trumbull, we are home to the area’s
largest indoor turf field, only box lacrosse arena, and multiple
hardwood courts. We host leagues, youth instruction programs, and
tournaments for every sport you can think of, visit our website to
learn more.