High Intensity Interval Training (or HIIT) for short, has become all the rage in the fitness industry over the last 5 years. Research has shown that this type of exercise can be effective through as little as 3-4 x 10 minute sessions per week! These fast-paced workouts destroy calories, and involve alternating between periods of maximum effort work (i.e 20 seconds of burpees) and short recovery (rest) periods. The best part is that for the most-part, you don’t even need equipment! Sometimes body weight exercises can be the most taxing of all!
Precautionary note- Yes, these workouts are designed to be completed hard and fast. However, if you’re new to this type of working out, or are carry some form of injury or impairment, start slow and simple, and build up your fitness level. Listen to your body and work within your limits!
What you need to know – First of all – Warm Up! You want to make sure your muscles are warm and limber before you throw them straight into maximum effort work. Go for a short jog, practice the movements you’re going to do in your workout, and some dynamic stretching will help you get ready! (For more some good mobility tips, click HERE)
Next step is know the movements you’re going to do and make sure you can do them well. Lets say you’re doing a workout with squats, push ups, burpees and situps involved. Make sure you’re squatting safely, you’re burpees are nice and controlled etc. Don’t choose movements that you’re not 100% confident with (that doesn’t mean you don’t like them because they’re hard).
Once you’re happy with your movements, know the workout. Nothing kills a workout more than having to stop to check what’s next, or how many rounds to go. Write it up nice and big, set up and interval timer on your phone and go for it!
Finally, once you’re done and exhausted it’s easy to pack it up and go home. NO! don’t forget to COOL OWN! This is the most important part. If you fail to stretch out properly , you’re muscles will not recovery properly, you’ll be that sore the next day (and the day after) you might not be able to train again and you’re increasing your risk of injury! Spend a good 10-15 minutes after each session stretching and cooling down before you leave!
For some epic HIIT workouts click here!
