HIIT, also known as High Intensity Interval Training, wind sprints, fartleks, whatever you like to call it is a form of exercise that has been proven to burn more fat. HIIT is different than traditional cardio, ie 30min of jogging, elliptical at a moderate intensity. HIIT is basically short bursts of high intensity exercise separated by periods of lower intensity effort. It is the bursts of high intensity periods that brings the results.
You can find millions of pages on HIIT workout plans on how to do HIIT, but it all does the same thing. I like to keep it simple. High intensity bursts, then low intensity. I usually do HIIT on a track. Since I live about half a mile from a school, I would jog there and be warmed up for my HIIT workout. I sprint the straight aways and jog the turns, simple. I aim for 8-10 laps. By the 8th lap, I’m beat, I sometimes have to walk the turns for the last couple of laps, my lungs gasping for oxygen and my legs feel like jello, by the time stumble back home I feel like a zombie. I’d have my Shakeology and a scoop of P90X Whey Protein Powder , take a shower, and I’m ready for bed…
But running could be hard on my joints, plus it gets boring and could be un-motivating, so I often switch it up my HIIT routine by doing INSANITY on days that is too cold, raining or just don’t feel like running. Insanity is definitely a TOTAL body HIIT workout, especially the Max Interval Circuit DVD, excellent alternative and nice change of pace. I get the same satisfaction as if I get home from my track HIIT workout, except it’s my whole body that is beat. The only stumbling is to my kitchen, have my Shakeology + P90X Whey Protein Powder, take a shower, and I’m ready for bed…
Lisa suggested that I try the recently introduced TurboFire, She said that TurboFire is a HIIT gem, adding another option to my HIIT workout. I will definitely give that a try. Plus Chalene is more pleasant to look at than Shaun…
Long and slow is how a 30lb overweight person finish a marathon, great feat indeed, but our goal here is to burn fat in the most efficient manner, not run a marathon. So if you want to have the ability to raise your metabolism and fat burning capability, HIIT is much more valuable than just a cardio workout or a simple calorie deficit. Whether you try my track HIIT workout, Insanity, or the new Turbofire , you will burn more calories for many hours post exercise and more of it will be fat compared to low intensity cardio.
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There are thousands of articles on the internet about the physical benefits of exercise, so I won’t attempt to add to those. This post is more about the pride which comes with sticking to and completing an exercise program.
You’re well into your exercise program, exercising daily and eating a healthy diet. Then you get an injury.
