It’s the exercise program loved by celebs and fitness experts the world over – but why is HIIT so addictive?
It seems science perhaps have pinpointed why HIIT – high-intensity interval training workouts – is so popular.
The the complete a long and steady workout, HIIT workouts incorporate bursts of intense exercise at maximum effort and a short period of rest or active recovery.
The idea is basically burn more fat a lot sooner. What’s never to love?
Research has shown that as well as torching calories, high-intensity intermittent exercise improves overall aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
Now Canadian studies have found HIIT enjoyment actually increases over the years.
For those of us for who, a) hate doing exercises; and b) lose interest easily, could be just the news everyone is waiting for.
Why HIIT is addictive
“It’s respected that people who enjoy their training session are much apt to stick to it,” says Dr Samantha Hoffmann, lecturer at Deakin University’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.
“And it’s been shown that HIIT generally equally or more enjoyable than traditional moderate-intensity exercise.
“Rather than quitting after a few weeks, you may also enjoy it greater than when you first started.
“And, for those that struggle to find time for it to exercise, the added benefit to become much more time-efficient than traditional exercise.”
Dr Hoffmann says exercising along with a friend and incorporating a hobby that you like – which include cycling, hiking, or team sport – are two extra strategies for making exercise more enjoyable and hopefully turning it into a routine.
“Exercise enjoyment with the first few weeks to a new routine could be especially important to prevent dropout and by ensuring you go along with your new program long-term,” she says.
The multiple benefits of HIIT
Dr Hoffmann, an exercise physiologist, says the huge benefits associated with HIIT offer an increase in aerobic fitness and muscle tissue, and decreases in lifestyle-related disease risk, hypertension levels and body fat.
“For people that report insufficient time among the list of major barriers to being physically active, just about the most attractive benefits can it be is a time-efficient training strategy having relatively little bit of total exercise – as few as 10 minutes,” she says.
“Despite this small amount of exercise, HIIT has been shown to enhance markers of fitness and health to a similar or greater extent than traditional moderate-intensity exercise, which includes going for a 30-minute jog.”
Fit Pharmacist’s HIIT workout
The Fit Pharmacist Holly Louise says if you don’t have access to a gym or are tight on time, this intense interval circuit will probably have you burning maximum calories in minimum time only using your bodyweight.
Perform each exercise at intense for 45 seconds and then 15 seconds rest, before being sold to the next.
Complete less than six rounds in one payemnt.
Reverse lunges
These are a simple yet effective exercise to strengthen the muscles of one’s lower body.
You can pinpoint the glutes, hamstrings and quads in one simple motion.
Mountain climbers
This is just about the best core exercises you’ll find.
It combines the difficulty of a plank, deep core stabilisation and alternating knee drives towards your chest.
Jump squats
This squat variation increases your explosive power, improves upper and lower body strength, and burns calories faster than regular squats.
Bonus: They work your core, too.
Bicycle crunches
One the greatest advantage of the bicycle crunch is its ability to target the 3 injuries of the major muscles of one’s abdominal region a lot more than any other abdominal exercise.
Push-ups
Push ups are some of the best upper-body exercises simply because work everything – your chest, back, shoulders, arms and then your core. These are a great calorie burner, too.
Written by Liz McGrath.
