Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Last week I wrote about the basics of HIIT — High Intensity Interval Training. As a recap, HIIT is an exercise strategy that alternates periods of short and intense anaerobic exercise with less-intense recovery periods.

I hinted that there were many benefits to doing high intensity interval training and I’m revealing them today!

Burn More Fat

High Intensity Interval Training works better than “regular” cardio for fat loss because when you do cardio, such as running, at the same pace the whole time, your body goes into what’s called steady state. This means that your body has adjusted itself to the speed you are going and tries hard to conserve energy (calories). The goal is to burn calories, not conserve them! You’ll be able to burn more calories and fat by doing interval training.

For example, a study at Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that HIIT cardio helped trainees lose nine times more fat than those who trained using steady state cardio (moderate speed for 20-60 minutes).

Speed Up Metabolism

Research shows that HIIT will burn fat tissue more effectively than low-intensity exercise – up to 50% more efficiently. It has also been shown to speed up your metabolism which helps you burn more calories throughout the day.

Save Time

Running on a treadmill or cycling on a stationary bike for a hour is time consuming…not to mention boring. When you do HIIT, you’re doing about 15-20 minutes of work. And trust me, if you’re doing it right, that will be enough!

Feel More Energized

HIIT is quick and explosive. This type of training helps you feel more energized rather than tired. Many people who do HIIT find themselves in better moods and with more energy. Who doesn’t want that?!

If you’ve hit a plateau in your fat loss, try some HIIT for a few weeks. Let me know if you see a difference.