If you are trying to get fit fast, you absolutely have to look into High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT for short. You may have heard the buzz surrounding this incredible training program, but the only way to really find out for yourself is to give it a try!
In short, HIIT involves short, intense bursts of exercise and then a small period of rest or other, less intense moves to give your body a quick break before it’s back to the real workout. This type of workout is super efficient and will absolutely melt fat off of your body while also building insane muscle. HIIT workouts are how you get that Greek Adonis look!
What Are The Benefits of HIIT Training?
Have you ever compared the bodies of sprinters versus distance runners? Sprinters look absolutely incredible and shredded, while distance runners can appear very un-athletic. Also, HIIT workouts take less time. You’ll get all the benefits of a full workout but in a fraction of the time.
Another benefit of HIIT workouts is that they strengthen a very important muscle – your heart. The combination of full on workouts followed by periods of rest make your heart work harder, strengthening the walls and arteries of your heart just like any other muscle. A study by the American Council on Exercise found that Tabata workouts (a type of HIIT training) will boost your cardiovascular strength.
Another nice thing about HIIT is that it doesn’t require a gym. These workouts are nearly as effective without any heavy weights. Just try doing a few sets of burpees and tell me if you aren’t completely wiped out by the end! If you are looking for a good workout plan that you can do from home, check out our review of Dumbbell Domination.
HIIT is also able to keep your blood pressure in check. A study published in the journal Diabetologia suggests that doing this training regularly can help control blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes better than more traditional forms of exercise.
Do More With Less Time
HIIT is also a great way to jack up your metabolism and burn fat at an incredible rate, much faster than if you were doing an aerobic exercise such as a continuous run. When you work your body to the max, your metabolism will work at a higher level, and your body burns more calories during and even after your workout. This effect is known as after burn and can give you a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to exercising!
This type of training also burns fat in less time compared to traditional aerobic exercises. HIIT training keeps your body guessing as it continually ramps up and then jacks down the exercises. This improves your aerobic and anaerobic fitness, helping you to burn fat in less time than a “traditional” workout.
Hopefully this has served as an introduction to the world of HIIT and you are excited to try it out for yourself! Give HIIT a go and I promise you won’t look back to the old way you used to do things!
Head back to the homepage for more great content!
Hey! My name is Stephen and I’m the owner of Ultimate Core Health. Since we started, we’ve grown into a trusted resource for unbiased, science-based articles and reviews on fitness, nutrition and supplements. Check me out on social media, feel free to add me if you want to talk health!