HIIT: Cardio and Strength Exercises but What is It?

What is HIIT?

HIIT is an acronym for High-Intensity Interval Training. When you say “high” intensity, that means its the majority of the workout aka very little breaks or recovery periods. The workouts are made to broken down in intervals or bursts.

Styles range from intense the whole time or slowly ramping up the intensity as the workout proceeds. Typically, cardio and strength training are combined to create a well-rounded high-intensity interval training workout.

HIIT is unisex and anyone of any age can do HIIT workouts (pending being able to handle the intensity) 

HIIT Exercises

There are so many forms of HIIT workouts because it is defined by intensity compared to an actual workout type. You can do HIIT dishwashing technically...but we do not recommend it. 

*everyone pictures themselves and GLASS SHATTERING 

HIIT strength will incorporate weights or bodyweight workouts. 

HIIT cardio will use a burst of aerobic exercises with minimal downtime. Think 30-second sprints and 10-second breaks on the treadmill.

Then there are HIIT ab workouts that you can explore with this video: 

HIIT Classes

Over the past 5-10 years, workout classes have become majorly popular and the best ones use HIIT as their style. Think Barry’s, Orange Theory Fitness and Soul Cycle as the leaders in HIIT workout classes. 

They actually say you can burn a total of 1000 calories from these workout classes?!

*everyone immediately plans a cheat meal and a workout class. 

This comes from the science of EPOC or Excess Post Exercise Oxygen Consumption. Which means your body still burns calories post-workout. You can read more about it HERE. 

500 calories burned in class + 500 calories burned extra over the next 12 hours in recover = 1000 calories (I checked)  

HIIT Home Workouts 

Due to COVID a lot of us do not have the luxury of working out at a Barrys. We don't even have access to our gyms so what can we do...psst, it's working out from home. 

Here are some home workouts to try...all you need to do is add the intensity:

 

HIIT Benefits 

• Calorie burn x short amount of time...1000 calories in just 45 min (remember EPOC)
• Speeds up metabolism 
• Calories burned = fat loss
• Improve oxygen consumption. Trust me, you will get this after one HIIT workout
• Reduce heart rate and blood pressure 

BEST HIIT Workout Sneakers 

• Nike Metcon

• NOBULL

• APL 

HIIT Supplements 

• Aminos 

• Pre Workout 

So who is ready for a HIIT workout?! Once you try it, you will fall in love. It is like a “high” once you experience a HIIT workout and you will love the results after it. Comment below your favorite HIIT workout