What is HIIT?
HIIT is an abbreviation for High Intensity Interval Training and it is absolutely trending in the workout world. During my recent Instagram LIVE on diets and which one will keep you on track for your New Year’s Resolution. I mentioned how important it was to implement exercise with nutrition for maximum results. HIIT has been up and coming and is something that I am a fan of, as it allows for maximum results in short time periods, which works well with my busy schedule between the clinic and kids. The main purpose of this workout is repetition and cycles, such as short periods of intense exercise mixed with less intense recovery periods.
Benefits of HIIT Training: Time
While there are several benefits, one that I feel is the most important to women is time. In today’s world most households rely on women for taking care of the kids while maintaining a clean, fed, and happy home. This can cause a crunch for time and one exhausted woman. I see this as the biggest reason women don’t workout in my clinic, because they feel they simply don’t have time. Your average HIIT workout is going to last anywhere from 10-30 minutes, which makes it fairly simple to squeeze into a busy day. During this short time you are still receiving the same benefits as a normal workout and then some. You are able to quickly burn calories, and it’s been proven to allow you to burn 25-30% more than other forms of exercise. Another bonus i your metabolic rate is increased for hours following the workout as well.
Boosts HGH Hormone
Working out is extremely beneficial for your hormones, but this form of exercise is specifically beneficial to your HGH hormone. The HGH hormone, which stands for Human Growth Hormone, is abundant at a young age, but decreases as time goes on. Other than being responsible for growth through adolescents it also helps regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, sugar and fat metabolism, and heart function. The increase in HGH allows for your body to increase muscle mass which also deteriorates as you age.
Heart & Lung Health
Two organs affected by this form of workout are your heart and lungs. It can improve oxygen consumption through the lungs which results in long term health results. HIIT also reduces heart rate and blood pressure in patient’s that typically have high blood pressure reducing your chance of heart attack or stroke. HIIT has also been proven to reduce blood sugar, making it a beneficial form of exercise for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Sounds Great – Where Do I Start?
If you aren’t the type of person to go to the gym, that’s okay! All the more reason to try HIIT. Great forms of HIIT exercises include but aren’t limited to: sprinting, biking, jumping rope, or body weight exercise. All of which can be done from the comfort of your home or out in the environment requiring little to no equipment. I recommend not over-doing it, so working out daily isn’t necessary. Four to five times a week will be plenty. I personally aim for four times a week on my Peloton bike, repeating cycles of 30 seconds fast pedaling with high resistance followed by a few minutes of slow pedaling with low resistance.
If this form of exercise doesn’t sound like something you would like, find one that works for you and your lifestyle. Any form of exercise releases endorphins which will ultimately make for a happier and healthier you!
