Higher, faster, better, stronger… I guess man will always want to push himself to the limit and try things which will enhance his physique. Whether it’s human nature or just me, I know for a fact that after having accomplished one thing, I always want to step up and dip my fingers into the next better thing.
Awhile back, I dabbled in Interval Training, and loved every bit of it. That’s like jogging for 2 minutes then walking the next. I seemed to thrive on those short workouts, and was keeping me fit which delighted me like a kid in a toy store. The fact that these exercises paid off has motivated me to go a step up in the fitness ladder and try out the next higher level- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Simply put, this refers to any type of workout which switches between intense bursts of activity and periods of less intense activity or total rest.
Pin it! (nevermind the graphics)
If you find yourself nodding in agreement and wanting to try this out too, here are some of the benefits of HIIT.
It doesn’t take time. HIIT is perfect for those who don’t seem to have enough hours in a day to do stuff. You can squeeze in some HIIT workout during your lunch break, as you will only need 15 minutes to do some interval training. As a start, you can run as fast as you can for one minute, then walk for the next. Do that 2-minute interval five times, and you’ve got your 15-minute fat-melting workout. Do this three times a week, and you’ve improved your aerobic capacity just as much as the next person who has done 6-8 weeks of endurance training.
You burn more fat. When you exert more energy using HIIT, your body repair cycle works in overdrive. This means that your body continues to burn calories for up to 24 hours after your workout.
It increases metabolism. More than the fat-burning benefits, HIIT also intensifies the levels of the human growth hormone or HGH in the body. This is responsible for burning calories and upping your metabolism.
HIIT is a do-anywhere, no-equipment type of workout which proves to challenge even the most seasoned athlete. If you’re someone who wants to see results fast, then this may very well be the best exercise regimen for you.
Great Post. I’ve managed to get a lot of my friends into HIIT.
During the winter it’s difficult for some to travel to their gyms, so they do a workout very similar to the one you suggested in their living rooms!
so true, winter hampers one’s willingness to go to the gym ^_^ But, that shouldn’t stop anyone from being fit…