What is HiiT?
Core belief: If your beliefs and behaviours outside the gym are not in line with your goals inside the gym, you will not achieve your goals. Health is a 24/7 occupation.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HiiT) involves a group of high-intensity/effort exercises performed at a fast to very fast pace, followed by a rest period. Typically, these groups of exercises will last for around 3 minutes for beginners. Once a higher level of fitness has been achieved, more than 10 minutes can be reached before a period of rest. These groups are interspersed with periods of active rest allowing the heart rate to return to more normal levels. Initially, many of these multi-functional exercises are carried out using only body weight as resistance as strength/fitness increases lightweights are incorporated to increase the training intensity.
Benefits of HiiT:
Besides the health benefits, the most important factor in any training program is adherence. That is, carrying on with an exercise program for a sufficient amount of time to achieve the desired results. In my experience, three main factors contribute to why people prematurely stop regular exercise, lack of time, boredom and a lack of motivation (understanding/focusing on your why).
HiiT has a great variety of exercises and movements, reducing the boredom factor.
HiiT is short (typically 30 minutes) which cuts training time to as little as 30 minutes per week. Decreasing the time factor issue.
Also, because results ‘can’ come fast with HiiT (with total adherence) and nothing motivates a person more than when they see results, lack of motivation is less likely to be a factor.
Core belief: Life is just dramatically better with some exercise in it.
AND:
As with other forms of exercise, HiiT will to some degree slow the ageing process, strengthen bones, improve brain function, and reduce the risk of some types of cancer. It also boosts mood and improves self-image through body toning.
Core belief: Part-time commitment leads to part-time results.
HiiT and WEIGHT LOSS:
Where HiiT truly comes into its own is with WEIGHT LOSS. Studies show that it is possible to lose twice the amount of weight in half the time compared to other exercise regimes. This is largely due not only to the high-calorie burn during exercise but also because your body will burn fat at an elevated rate for up to 24 hours after exercise.
Core belief: We generally ignore the importance of a single day. Small daily improvements when done consistently over time, will bring staggering results. What we do today is create our future!
