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Among the growing trends of fitness, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has gained immense popularity as an efficient and effective workout method. HIIT workouts are short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of active recovery. They’re an excellent workout option that is time-efficient and shows increased caloric burn.
HIITs are practised by a very short, usually 30-second bout of intense exercise, followed by a minute of active rest. The cycle is then repeated for an overall 10-20-minute workout duration. HIITs can serve many different fitness goals like weight loss, increased muscle strength, increased endurance, improved muscle tone, etc.
In this blog, we’ll look at how HIIT exercises may be the perfect workout if you’re looking for achieving maximum results in the shortest possible time.
What is HIIT?
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a relatively new workout routine that alternates between high-intensity exercises and short periods of active recovery or rest. The intense exercises push your body to its limits, elevating your heart rate and challenging your muscles, while the recovery periods allow for brief rejuvenation before the next round of intensity. HIIT exercises can include jumping jacks, mountain climbers, squats, burpees and many other bodyweight exercises.
Key Benefits of HIIT Workouts
HIITs are highly efficient workouts
One of the most significant advantages of HIIT workouts is their time efficiency. With our increasingly busy lives, finding time for exercise can be a challenge. HIIT eliminates this obstacle by delivering an intense and effective workout in a shorter duration. A typical HIIT session can range from 10 to 30 minutes, making it a great option for those with limited time.
HIITs burn more calories as compared to other workouts
HIIT workouts are known to be highly effective in burning calories. The intense bursts of exercise elevate your heart rate and metabolism, promoting calorie burn during the workout and even after it ends. Due to our metabolism and the afterburn effect, our body continues to burn calories for hours after completing the workout.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
HIIT is essentially a cardio workout and hence is excellent for improving heart health. The intense intervals push your heart rate to a high level, strengthening your heart and improving its efficiency. Regular HIIT sessions can increase your cardiovascular endurance, reducing the risk of heart disease and improving overall heart health.
Increased Fat Loss
If you’re looking to lose weight, HIIT workouts may be your best bet along with your weight loss diet. Intense physical activity targets both the anaerobic and aerobic systems and helps burn fat. One particular study revealed that 12 weeks of HIIT exercises done by overweight women resulted in abdominal and subcutaneous fat loss of approximately 2.6 kg.
Improved Muscle Tone
Due to the excellent fat loss results of HIITs, the workouts also contribute greatly towards a sculpted physique and improved muscle tone. If one of your fitness goals is to achieve lean and strong muscles, then HIIT may be a great workout option.
Variety of Exercises
A HIIT workout is not just one single exercise that has to be repeated. HIITs can consist of many different cardio workouts that can be tailored to suit various fitness levels and preferences. Whether you prefer bodyweight exercises, kettlebell routines, or sprint intervals, HIIT allows for versatility and adaptability. You can modify the duration, intensity, and exercises to create a workout that suits your fitness goals and keeps you engaged.
If you also want to implement HIIT workouts in your routine, then download the FITPASS app today. Not only do you get a comprehensive fitness app in your pocket, but also the ability to locate the best fitness centres and High-Intensity Interval Training classes near you.
With a FITPASS membership, you can get walk-in access to hundreds of HIIT training workouts in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and many other cities all over India. Get on the HIIT bandwagon and be on your way to achieving maximum results.
