The ultimate reason why HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is good for fat loss is because you are able to see results by doing only 12-minute workouts.
If low impact exercise is at number 1 and the high impact exercise is number 10, during a HIIT workout, you’re staying between 8,9, and 10 depending on how hard you’re working!
How Does It Work?
You don’t have to work out for a long time if you’re doing a 20-minute HIIT workout, as it is a very explosive workout. HIIT really taps into stored body fat during the workout, and your body will actually use fat to give you energy. During that process, you get these little micro-tears in your muscles, which also burn calories.
A lot of gyms are starting to also add HIIT into their programs because it’s bringing in better results than just a regular aerobic type workout. Although, HIIT should be limited to about three to four times a week at most, because of how intense it is.
If you want to absolutely push yourself to the max, doing HIIT should not be the only type of workout you do. You can do other workouts like weight training, yoga, and cardio. HIIT workouts can also be done on a cardio machine, but athletic-based bodyweight movements are usually preferred.
Five Benefits of HIIT and How To Apply Them:
Burn Calories
HIIT can burn more calories than traditional exercise or help you burn the same amount of calories in a shorter period.
Speeds Up Your Metabolism
Research has shown that for 24 hours after your HIIT workout, your metabolic rate is elevated, which is important because you will continue to burn up calories long after you’re done!
Lose Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is the disease-promoting fat that surrounds your internal organs. Be careful with HIIT training for fat loss. Too much intensity can actually stress the body out and prevent you from losing fat.
Improved Oxygen Consumption
Oxygen consumption is your muscle’s ability to use oxygen. It is measured with a metric called VO2 max. It’s important for athletes to have a high VO2 max because it enables them to work harder for extended periods of time without resting.
Improved Heart Health
HIIT training has been shown to lower your resting heart rate and your blood pressure by training the heart to pump blood at higher intensities, which is a lower demand on the heart in a resting state. This is particularly important for people who are overweight.
If you’re ready to keep improving your health and fitness, check out our blog What To Eat After A Workout for tips on how to keep the healthy choices going.