7 reasons HIIT is great!

HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is a completely different approach to working out. It combines short bursts of intense aerobic activity where you are working at 100%, with short periods of rest time for recovery. As it is for only a minute or two, you would push yourself to work harder than you would in say a normal aerobics or Zumba class, after which time you would do a gentle activity for a couple of minutes to allow your body to recover before repeating the cycle again.These short bursts are repeated throughout the session for maximum impact. I teach HIIT classes 4 times a week now and I have seen the number of people coming to class rise rapidly over the last few years. The increase in popularity of this type of class isn't a surprise as it really does deliver results for people who want to put in that little bit extra to their workouts. It isn't for everyone of course. It might not be right for people who are new to exercise, but for those whose fitness levels have plateaued or who want something a little more stretching, HIIT is a great place to start.

So because more and more people are asking me about High Intensity Interval Training, I'd thought this week, on my fitness blog, I'd give you 7 reasons HIIT is great!

1. As you are pushing yourself during the intense periods more than you would normally do, this type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up  and is a highly effective cardio workout.
2. Research suggests that HIIT is more effective at increasing aerobic capacity than many other forms of exercise and you get fast results with this type of exercise than with endurance training. That's why classes only need to be 30 minutes long!
3. HIIT actually burns more fat in less time. So you could lose more weight doing HIIT, than you do in a normal exercise class even though it's longer. Perfect for those whose weight loss has stalled as they have become fitter.
4. Research has shown that HIIT can boost your metabolism up to 48 hours following the class, so you are burning calories long after the class is over.
5. Because it's so effective, classes can be shorter, meaning you can fit it into your busy evenings - who can't spare just 30 minutes from their day?
6. It's really easy to customise to your level, so you don't need to be afraid of HIIT if you are new to this form of exercise.
7. You can do it anywhere as it doesn't need any specialist equipment. You can incorporate it into your running, swimming or cycling routines (sprinting for a minute followed by jogging/slow swimming/slow cycling for 2 minutes), you can attend a class and do it with friends, or you can do it one to one with a personal trainer.

So if you are bored with your normal exercise routine, or want to step your fitness up a notch, why not give HIIT a go? For details of my HIIT classes in Reading, please check out my calendar, or if you want to know more about personal training, email me at sedge.gooding@fitness-together.co.uk.