HIIT

No this isnt some new boxing workout program. HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of shedding the pounds and getting into phenomenal shape! But why has this type of training becoming so popular, why is it so effective and how can you get in on the action? Glad you asked!

What is HIIT? – I like definitions, so lets look at what Wiki has to say: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) or sprint interval training is an exercise strategy that is intended to improve performance with short training sessions. HIIT is a form of cardiovascular exercise which is beneficial to burning fat in a short and intense workout. Usual HIIT sessions may vary from 9–20 minutes. The original protocol set a 2:1 ratio for recovery to work periods. For example, a runner would alternate 30–40 seconds of jogging or walking with 15–20 seconds of hard sprinting.

Simple right? Wrong!!! If you have ever done P90X Plyometrics then you have had just a taste of HIIT. If you have done Insanity or The Asylum then you know this wonderful pain all too well. I can only speak from my own experience with The Asylum, but this type of training is brutal! Just when you think you might get a break in between moves, Shaun T pushes you to your limits and beyond by going right into the next exercise with less than a 5 second break. And the only reason you get a break is because he has to explain the move…In my opinion, HIIT is some of the hardest training out there and The Asylum definitely ranks in my book as the top HIIT home fitness program on the market! It is a perfect combination of strength and cardio moves that leave your heart pounding and your lungs feeling like they just blew up a bounce house! Its awesome!

Why is HIIT becoming so popular? – The reason is simple…results! HIIT gets people the results they want, period! This type of training pushes you to the edge of what you think you are capable of and then pushes a little harder; and unless you are just plain not trying, its going to be very hard to not get results.

Why is HIIT so effective? – There have been many studies done to compare this method of training to traditional endurance training, such as jogging or biking. The results of these studies just might drive you to Insanity and change the way you thought about your good ol’ jogging session (nothing against jogging, lol). Studies have demonstrated that 2.5 hours of high intensity interval training produced similar biochemical muscle changes to 10.5 hours of endurance training and similar endurance performance benefits. Talk about efficiency!!! 10.5 hours of work in 2.5 hours! According to other research, data shows that HIIT increases the resting metabolic rate (RMR) for 24 hours proceeding the workout. What does this mean for you? It mean you burn more fat faster and for longer periods of time. Other benefits of HIIT include:

• Improve athletic performance
• Can improve insulin action in young healthy men
• Viable method for prevention of type-2 diabetes
• burn fat more effectively than traditional cardio

How can you take advantage of this fat loss, performance enhancing training regimen? – Beachbody offers quite a few programs that utilize HIIT, for example: Insanity, Insanity: The Asylum, and TurboFire. If you take a look at these programs, you will understand why so many people have had such great success using them. One of the things I love about Beachbody workout programs is that they utilize the science available through tons of research before these programs ever see the light of day. So you can rest assure, you are getting the latest and most effective routines in the fitness industry. Check out this preview of The Asylum:

 

 

Tell us your experience with HIIT! Have you tried Insanity, The Asylum or TurboFire?