HIIT workouts have been receiving a lot of hype for the past few years, and with good reason. They’re high-intensity workouts that are meant to burn more fat in a shorter period of time. HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, workouts feature short bursts of cardio and strength training broken up by short recovery periods.
During the exercise, the goal is to get your heart rate up at a near maximum intensity. Often times, the recovery periods are composed of an exercise such as walking or jogging, to decrease the heart rate, but remain working. Worried you’re not the right shape? Don’t be. All types of people are doing HIIT workouts — professional athletes to someone just trying to get their 30 minutes of daily exercise.
What are the benefits of HIIT workouts?
While HIIT workouts provide many benefits, here six are some of the most persuasive:
Quick and Efficient:You get the workout done in a short amount of time. It is more efficient than being at the gym for an hour doing a steady-state workout.
Accessibility:HIIT workouts can be done anywhere and anytime. You don’t need gym equipment, but it can be used if available.
Elevates Metabolism:Compared to jogging and lifting weights, high-intensity interval training elevates your metabolism even more dramatically. Studies have shown your metabolic rate is higher for up to 24 hours after HIIT workouts.
Lose Weight:HIIT burns a lot of calories and fat relative to the short time commitment, which will help you lose weight and increase or maintain muscle mass.
Improved Oxygen Consumption:HIIT has shown to improve your body’s oxygen consumption an equivalent amount to non-HIIT workouts, but it takes half the amount of time. This is possible because your body needs more oxygen during exercise, so your body will increase the total caloric expenditure.
Heart Healthy:HIIT workouts have proven to reduce your resting heart rate, blood sugar and blood pressure. There are often more significant improvements in overweight individuals.
Where can you attend a HIIT class?
Although HIIT workouts are easy to do on your own and without any equipment, there are also a few great places in the Des Moines area if you are interested in attending HIIT classes. If you are looking to try a HIIT class, Orange Theory, Cycle Bar and Kosama are a few local places that offer high-energy workouts.
If you think you don’t have enough time to get a solid workout in, think again. HIIT is one of the most efficient and effective ways to train, and you can do it from just about anywhere.
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