Are you maximizing your workout time to get the best results possible when you are at the gym? While it’s good to maintain a consistent fitness routine, the overall results will vary depending on the types of activities you are choosing. HIIT workouts are a great way to supercharge your results by burning calories and building muscle at the same time.

The more you learn about HIIT workouts, you’ll see why this form of training is gaining in popularity. HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training, and it offers a time-efficient solution that fits well for people with busy schedules.

What are HIIT Workouts?

HIIT workouts are designed to leverage short bursts of intense activities, with breaks and rest time in-between those bursts. The main benefit of this form of exercise is that you can see noticeable fitness results in less time (when compared to more traditional forms of exercise).

There are options to do HIIT training on your own. But many people like to join HIIT fitness classes or work with a personal trainer who can guide the exercises. Often, the HIIT workout is designed to be a full-body workout with intense exercises that strengthen muscles in the torso, arms, and legs. You always have short rest periods between the sets to give yourself time for recovery before moving onto the next movements.

Common HIIT exercises include:

• Sprinting
• Burpees
• Jumping jacks
• Knee highs
• Mountain climbers
• Pushups
• Squat jumps
• Plank jacks
• Box jumps
• Side plank dips
• Lunges
• Skaters
• Jumping rope
• Russian twists

For ideal results, these exercises are mixed and matched. Each workout is designed with different activities in order to avoid hitting a plateau in your fitness journey.

The Science Behind HITT Workouts

Since HIIT workouts alternate between high-intensity exercises and short recovery times, they are adaptable to all fitness levels.

The science behind the effectiveness of these workouts is based on the way the heart rate is elevated during the routine. As the heart rate goes up, it also increases oxygen consumption. The high-intensity movements help burn calories, which can be beneficial for weight loss. Additionally, the movements work muscles throughout the body, which can help with muscle growth, strength, and agility.

Many people find HIIT workouts to be an effective strategy to boost the metabolism. If you are wanting to jumpstart your weight loss results, then try adding HIIT workouts to your routine. In fact, HIIT offers an afterburn effect, which means that the intensity of the workout will push the body to continue burning calories even after the workout session is over.

Why is HIIT So Effective?

There are undeniable health and fitness benefits from HIIT workouts. When you compare these results to what you can achieve through more traditional exercises, it makes sense why HIIT is often the best choice.

Some of the health benefits you can expect include:

• Calorie Burning:The intense bursts of movement boost calorie burning, which has a positive impact on helping to reduce excess fat stored in the body. The more calories you burn, the easier it is to lose weight.
• Muscle Toning:If you want to have noticeable results, then toned muscles can make a big difference in your overall appearance. HIIT movements tone muscles throughout the body, helping to improve your physique and strength at the same time.
• Cardiovascular Health:Since your heart rate and breathing are elevated during the high intensity movements, it has a positive impact on your cardiovascular health.  Your heart and entire cardiovascular system benefit from HIIT workouts.
• Build Endurance:In the beginning, HIIT workouts can feel intimidating because of the intensity of the workout routine. But if you stay consistent, then you will see progress over time. These movements help to build endurance, which not only improves your fitness in the gym – but you will notice improvements in other areas of your life as well.
• Metabolic Function:While any type of exercise is helpful for burning calories, the real results come when you boost your metabolism so that your normal resting state also burns more calories. Muscle building is a great way to achieve these results.

HITT Saves Time in Your Busy Schedule

If you have a busy schedule, then it might feel challenging to add exercise into your weekly routine. But the truth is that HIIT workouts only require 20 – 30 minutes (sometimes up to 60 minutes), which means that everyone can find a quick window of time to participate.

Even if you have limited time available, it’s usually possible to carve out an extra 20 minutes before going to work or at the end of the day. Some people even include HIIT workouts as part of their lunch break. Additionally, HIIT workouts don’t require special equipment. There are many options that use body weight and simple accessories.

If time constraints have been your reason for skipping your workouts, then HIIT can change the narrative because it’s a fitness solution that fits into your schedule.

FAQ

How can HIIT workouts be customized for different fitness levels?

HIIT can be tailored for beginners, intermediate, and advanced participants. Start with lower-intensity intervals, gradually increasing the intensity over time. Advanced routines increase the intensity, add weights, and shorten the rest times.

How often should I do HIIT workouts?

The ideal schedule is to plan HIIT workouts 2 – 3 times per week. It’s important to have time between workouts for recovery.

What kind of equipment do I need for HIIT workouts?

Weights can be helpful, but you don’t need any special equipment for HIIT workouts. Many of these exercises are done using your body weight. If you want extra intensity, then add equipment.

HIIT Workouts with a Gym Community

Are you looking for a fitness community to help on your HIIT journey? It might be the perfect time to join a local gym where you can access equipment, classes, and training experts. Fitness Nation offers everything you need, including a fun community of like-minded people. Contact us to learn more about the benefits you’ll receive from our high-end fitness center.