Why HIIT is a hit!

HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training. It's become a very popular way to exercise by those who've discovered it's benefits. Personally, I love it, and can't believe I didn't find out about it sooner. Here is a little more education for you.

HIIT starts with a warm-up period of 2 or 3 minutes. After that, the workout ramps up to your maximum effort for a short period of time (about 30 seconds to a minute) and then has a short recovery period where you return back to a normal intensity (for another minute or two), but still are above your warm-up pace. It cycles back and forth between these two stages for anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes, and is ended off by a normal 2 or 3 minute cool-down.

In short term, it's pretty much, slow, fast, slow, fast. Or easy, hard, easy, hard. Depending on how you're looking at it.

So why is HIIT great for you?

One short session of HIIT is better than a long aerobic workout. Studies have proven that HIIT burns more fat in a shorter amount of time, and also has longer lasting effects on your metabolism - which means your body is still burning fat more efficiently even when you're not working out. HIIT increases your RMT (Resting Metabolic Rate) for 24 hours after a session.

In addition to burning more calories, a higher intensity workout is will help you tone more. You can do 4 hours on the elliptical machine and still look like skin sack stretched over some old potatoes. The key is to tone what you've got, as well as lose what you don't need. HIIT is aerobic (cardio) and anaerobic (muscle-toning) in one. And the more fit you are, the more calories you'll burn all day long.

Another point for HIIT sessions is that they are not catabolic. This means that muscles will not be lost to fuel your body, as with long aerobic sessions. HIIT will eat your FAT, not your hard-earned muscle.

The last great thing about this exercise is that it suppresses your appetite. What better accompaniment to a good workout than to not be starving afterward from all the hard work you've done?


Sources:
Benefits of HIIT
Wiki: HIIT