HIIT vs MetCon Which workout is best for burning fat?

Both HIIT and MICT workouts produced functional improvements of less breathing difficulties during activities of daily living, greater functional capacity, less fatigue, and improved quality of life. 5,14 Those with COPD cannot usually engage in higher intensity exercises for long durations due to increased shortness of breath. HIIT workouts can be modified depending on an individual’s fitness level and have been successfully prescribed for cardiac rehabilitation programs. Use of HIIT programs has shown improvements in cardiovascular health in patients who have had a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, or congestive heart failure. Modifications may be implemented, such as using specific exercises or incorporating longer warm-up and cool-down periods for people with heart disease or on blood pressure medications. It’ll improve your endurance, it will complement your strength development, and it’ll help you get shredded,” he says. HIIT is a cardio session arranged as short bursts of very hard work. Incorporating HIIT alongside traditional methods can optimize your training, keeping things fresh and effective. A jump rope, resistance bands, or kettlebells can enhance your workout variations.

Sample HIIT Workout

You can take advantage of this greater need for volume by integrating a muscle-building workout into HIIT format. Muscle growth requires a lot more volume and less rest than building strength or power. A heavy goblet squat followed by moderate Kettlebell Thruster and bodyweight jump squat. In order to best improve your strength, you’re going to want to include a variation of the exercise you’re trying to get strong at – in this case, a squat. A progressive eight-station workout designed to enhance strength, balance, VO₂ Max, and muscle endurance, with rounds that build in difficulty to elevate your foundational fitness. A beastly, ultra‑tough 75-minute HIIT challenge using four rotations through four customized “quads”, each packed with hardcore exercises and strategic timing splits to elevate both strength and cardio endurance. It strips training down to the essentials—tools that allow you to train your entire body, progressively overload muscles, and stay consistent long term. Kara Andrew, RDN, LDN, is the director of health promotion for Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois. Simultaneously twist your upper body toward your left knee, reaching your right elbow toward your left knee. Engage your abdominal muscles to pull your knees up and into your chest as you lift your shoulder blades off the floor. Interestingly, although both exercise protocols led to a reduction in waist and hip circumference, HIIT was able to induce a greater reduction of waist circumference in males, suggesting it could represent a more favourable strategy to treat visceral obesity. Mean VO2peak increased compared with baseline within groups (316.1 mL (241.0‒3911 mL); p2peak/weight augmented after training within groups (4.9 mL/kg (3.9‒5.9 mL/kg); ptable 4). Effect of intervention (MICT vs HIIT) and group effect on body weight, anthropometry and body composition After 12 weeks of training, weight decreased in both arms of the study. The amount of training session, duration of any session and energy expenditure during exercise were recorded. The most effective approach often lies in combining HIIT and weight training․ This synergistic approach leverages the strengths of both modalities․ For example, a training program could incorporate HIIT sessions twice a week for cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning, complemented by weight training sessions three times a week for muscle growth and metabolic boost․ This balanced approach optimizes both short-term calorie expenditure and long-term metabolic improvements․ Let's start with concrete examples․ Imagine two individuals, Sarah and John, both aiming to lose 10 pounds․ Sarah opts for a HIIT program, involving short bursts of intense exercise interspersed with brief recovery periods․ Her routine might include 30 seconds of sprinting followed by 30 seconds of rest, repeated for 20 minutes, three times a week․ John, on the other hand, focuses on weight training, performing compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, targeting all major muscle groups three times a week․ He aims for 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions for each exercise․ HIIT workouts with weights involve performing strength training exercises during the “on” or hard intervals using dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, or other forms of resistance. By employing HIIT workouts instead, your session can be completely tailored to any number of different exercises that suit your fancy. Similarly, body composition improvements from HIIT have been shown to be comparable to moderate intensity steady-state cardiovascular training sessions as well. Combining the sprint effect of HIIT-style workouts with the goal of building endurance means one thing, less rest time. A great way to accomplish this would be to choose non-competing exercises that target different muscle groups and tapering from larger movements to smaller as fatigue accumulates. Begin with a warm-up of pedaling at a moderate pace for 3-5 minutes, or more. Always remember to drink enough water and stay hydrated during and after your workout sessions. You can change and adjust the difficulty of the elliptical machine on your current fitness level. Start with a warm-up of pedaling at a moderate pace for 3-10 minutes. You can do this during the day as a stand alone workout or incorporate it in your normal workout routine. Then you’ll have a chance to recover for about the same amount of time or longer. But you’ll do it in spurts of 30 seconds to 3 minutes. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. The information on this website is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Once you have finished the round you will take a minute rest and start the entire set over again. To achieve a more balanced fitness regimen, it’s beneficial to combine HIIT with strength training exercises. Preserving muscle mass is crucial because muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. This prolonged calorie burn contributes to greater overall fat loss compared to traditional steady-state cardio, which primarily burns calories only during the activity. Many studies have confirmed that HIIT with different exercise intensity, time, and frequency combinations has advantages in fat and weight reduction 6,48. Complete all 10 exercises in sequence with no rest between them. It involves shorter intervals because the exercises are harder and more explosive and intense. The video includes a timer so you know exactly when to start and stop, as well as demonstrations of the next exercise in line during rest periods.
  • “The research participants who performed long HIIT workouts every day suffered from stagnant fitness gain and deteriorated health.”
  • What is cool is that it helped me maintain most of my muscle while keeping body fat low.
  • HIIT workouts that involve upper and lower-body muscles working at the same time use more muscles, which, in turn, consume more oxygen and burn more calories.
  • The results showed that women with PCOS who did HIIT are able to reduce their body fat percentage.
  • HIITs are workouts that involve short bursts of intense exercises followed by periods of rest.
  • This article discusses what a HIIT workout is, its effectiveness, benefits, and types.
  • When the body draws on glycogen for energy, it triggers an uncomfortable burning sensation that signals the brain to slow down and take a break.
  • This step-by-step tutorial on how to use HIIT for weight loss is going to be EPIC.
  • Continue to push yourself, continue to flourish, and enjoy the sense of empowerment that accompanies each exercise session.
  • They’re also a testament of your core fitness if you can (slowly but surely) build a little stamina with this exercise.
Another 2022 study showed improvements in muscle oxidative ability (that’s fancy science for your muscles to get better at using energy), leading to muscle gain and fat reduction at the same time. A 2018 study noted that HIIT can stimulate muscle size in individuals with higher body weight or obesity. HIIT isn’t just about fat loss; it also helps you increase muscle mass. Research keeps proving that HIIT workouts are not only effective but also time-friendly (which means you can still binge your favorite Netflix show afterward without guilt).

We found out 12 years ago that we were wrong about the significance of the afterburn effect of interval training.

  • With an exercise machine like a stationary bike you can increase the resistance to where 20 seconds is extremely tough.
  • Insight into the skeletal muscle adaptation to HIIE has mainly been achieved using this type of exercise ; however, as this protocol is extremely hard, subjects have to be highly motivated to tolerate the accompanying discomfiture.
  • Both types of workouts have benefits.
  • In contrast, 40/20 means work for 40 and rest for 20, and 50/10 means work for 50 seconds and rest for 10.
  • A greater proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibres will help generate strength, speed and power, and research at the Department of Clinical Physiology in Stockholm, Sweden, found that HIIT is an effective way of transforming slow-twitch fibres into fast-twitch.
  • An example of this would be pedaling on a stationary bike hard for 30 seconds alternated with 1.5 minutes of recovery.
  • Walking is excellent for beginners as it is low impact and lower intensity than say running – and because it's less intense, you can usually keep going for longer, which makes it a good calorie burner.
  • Examples of good compound strength training exercises for HIIT workouts with weights include squats, step-ups, deadlifts, lunges, split squats, burpees with a medicine ball, and military presses.
Of course, another barrier to exercise adherence? Pair these runs with solid meals and ample rest to keep results steady and sustainable. Track effort, adjust repeats gradually, and let your body adapt rather than forcing rapid changes. If you rather focus all your energy on cardio, do it on your “rest” day. It’s lifting weights, NOT cardio, that will get you a defined physique that you’re looking for. Jump rope workouts are fun, but they’re definitely tough. The workout consists of three, one minute drills (30 seconds, 20 seconds and 10 seconds, increasing the speed by .1 — .5 for each level) followed by a 30-second break between rounds. Don’t let the name of this workout fool you, this HIIT will challenge you! Each HIIT interval is 30 seconds with a 30-second cool down before the next HIIT begins. If you feel like 5.0 is too fast, then you can slow it down to your own pace, but make sure it is quick enough for the heart rate to remain elevated for best results. This 10-minute workout will get your blood pumping and leave you feeling accomplished. If weight loss is your goal, combining regular exercise – especially HIIT workouts – with GLP-1 medications could be your most effective strategy. By varying the intensity and incorporating a mix of exercises, you can tailor your HIIT routine to fit both fat loss and muscle toning goals. Whether you're starting a weight loss program or looking to enhance your current regimen, these workouts can help you transform your health and reach your goals.
  • We’ll coach the intervals—you bring the effort.
  • Complete four sets with a 30-second rest between sets.
  • After 12 weeks of intervention, subjects in the HIIT group achieved a significant weight loss and BMI reduction, which was approximately 6.1% of initial body weight.
  • Slouching, overstriding, or tense shoulders drain energy and shift work away from the muscles that burn fat efficiently.
  • The exercises are done back-to-back with no rest in between until the 8th exercise is completed.
  • Again, the same rules apply as the previous 3 workouts.
  • So you're working hard with not a lot of time to catch your breath or grab water.
  • Authors suggest that the small increase in energy expenditure contrasts to the 2000–3000 kcal per week experienced during a typical aerobic training program.
  • To do a HIIT workout, you’ll alternate between periods of high-intensity activity and low-intensity activity or rest.
We love high-intensity interval training, and it has a lot of study-proven benefits. The short bursts of intense exercise that make up HIIT sessions can push your body and heart to their maximum capacity, which improves your maximum heart rate and VO2 max (also written as VO2max). High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a workout based primarily on aerobic exercise that can be done just about anywhere and at any time. These workouts seem to be taking over the fitness landscape and social media, and there’s plenty of good reasons for their popularity. In this article, we will explore the best HIIT exercises for weight loss, their benefits, and how to create a HIIT workout that suits your fitness level and goals. HIIT workouts have become a rage in fitness circles due to their ability to deliver impressive weight loss results in a short amount of time. To get the most out of your beginner HIIT workouts for weight loss, it's crucial to focus not only on the exercises themselves but also on how you perform them. Not only do they get your heart pumping, but they also improve your overall fitness and contribute to weight loss by burning calories. With a profound passion for running and fitness, I’ve cultivated this platform into a go-to resource for runners of all levels. If you cut all steady cardio, your aerobic foundation suffers and recovery slows. Move HIIT to soft surfaces (grass, track) or mix in low-impact intervals on a bike or rower to protect vulnerable joints. Sharp pain is your body waving a red flag. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep, hydrate well, and grab a protein + carb snack after intervals. The best exercises for weight loss all tend to revolve around HIIT principles. This six-move weight loss HIIT workout is perfect for busy people, as it can be done in just 15 minutes Achieve your health & fitness goals in less time with interval training. What are the benefits of HIIT?

Plyo push-up

You’re going hard, typically as hard as you can, for a short period of time, then resting for a length of time that’ll let you recover to go hard once again. You don't need close to an hour for an effective HIIT session; even 20 to 30 minutes of focused work can be more than enough for the most well-conditioned exercisers. HIIT training is a good way to get a bang for your buck, and spend less time,” says Jahkeen Washington, C.P.T., owner of JTW Fit and the Harlem Kettlebell Club. Lack of time is cited as one of the main barriers to fitness, according to the CDC—and HIIT offers a shorter period than other protocols. You shouldn't necessarily think about HIIT as being any one style of exercise, like running or lifting weights. “When you’re tired, your risk of injury and cardiovascular strain increases. Over time, you can work harder with less effort,” Liu explains. The payout is similar for weight-related markers as well. “You can get meaningful cardiovascular benefits in short sessions because the effort is so high,” explains Tang.
What differentiates high-intensity interval training (HIIT) from moderate-intensity continuous training?
Numerous studies have concluded that high-intensity interval training really does improve your fitness and health. “When you work at a higher intensity, you’re training your heart to handle stress and then recover from it, which is one of the most important indicators of long-term cardiovascular health,” Tang says. This can include cardio, bodyweight and resistance exercises,” Tang explains.
How often should I perform HIIT workouts to see benefits?
Each test was undertaken simultaneously, in different periods, for the same subject and comprised a 5-minute rest period followed by walking in stages of 4-minute duration. Subjects avoided strenuous exercise the day before the test and came to the laboratory after 12-hour fasting. VO2peak was determined using a graded exercise test on a motorised treadmill (H/P/Cosmos Sports & Medical GmBh, Germany) under medical supervision. So what are the exercises I mention above? You'll be done with this workout in about 30 minutes. Take the time to warm up for about 10 minutes. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and weight training have different needs for exercise equipment. Both HIIT and weight training can be tailored to fit any fitness level. This way, your body can adapt to the demands of your workouts. Generally, rest for hours before training the same muscles again. HIIT workouts are very intense, pushing your body hard. Our bodies use fat as energy and store any excess for future use; this stored fat acts as an insulator and helps cushion vital organs, bones and other tissues, protecting them from damage. It has a number of roles, including building cell membranes, nerve tissue and hormones, and aiding the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A and D. Fat, such as carbohydrates and protein, is a macronutrient needed by the body. As research progresses we’re beginning to discover that the theory of ‘calories in and calories out’ is an over-simplification of the way we use energy.
  • Jumping jacks are not only excellent HIIT workouts, but also are a great warm-up exercise.
  • She earned her master's in exercise and nutrition science at Lipscomb University.
  • Nutrition plays a crucial role in weight loss, as it provides the body with the necessary fuel to function properly.
  • The predominant theory as to the increased weight and/or fat mass loss seen in multiple HIIT studies, even in those with overweight/obesity, is that there is increased fat oxidation (fat breakdown for use as energy) 1-2, 4, 19-20.
  • If you are interested in doing HIIT workouts on your own, pick a type of exercise you can perform at a high intensity with good form.
  • The HIIT workouts also require minimal equipment, either one set of dumbbells or just your bodyweight, making this workout plan extremely versatile.
  • Unfortunately, belly fat can't be torched in a matter of days, and solutions proclaiming success in a short period of time often don't lead to long-term success.
Four-week HIIT workout plan: week 1
And HIIT is a great way to lose weight and boost your overall health. If you’re not used to this type of training, your muscles and joints may pay the price through sprains and strains.- Plus, this high-intensity workout really gets the feel-good endorphins flowing. If any of the HIIT 100s exercises are new to you, you’ll need to spend some time figuring out how much weight you can do for 10 reps. The week before you start the HIIT 100s program, work these exercises into your training to get a gauge on appropriate weights. The major reason HIIT works so well for dropping body fat is due to the greater calorie burn (or EPOC—excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) that’s maintained after the workout is over. A lot of these studies found that subjects performing HIIT burned significantly more body fat—and in less time—than those who did steady-state cardio programs. For those of you who aren’t familiar with HIIT, it involves intervals of high-intensity exercise (such as running at 90 percent of your max heart rate) followed by low intensity (walking at a moderate pace) or complete rest. Keep reading for our seven best HIIT workouts for weight loss. Cardiovascular Gains Previous research results have demonstrated that either HIIT 55,56 or fasting has beneficial impacts in reducing body mass and BMI, and our results suggested that HIIT + fasting might achieve a better effect than traditional HIIT or fasting intervention. These findings suggested that it took over 1 month for HIIT + fasting to improve body mass and BMI, which could become a guideline of HIIT + fasting in clinical application. The result reported by Taylor et al. whose trials found that the effects of ≥3 months HIIT on body mass and BMI were much better than 4 weeks HIIT, the similar results were also found in fasting intervention . If an individual has excess fat to lose, applying HIIT at the same time as following an appropriate diet will result in a reduction in body fat. The purpose of a HIIT workout is to give 100% effort during the workout and then allow proper time for recovery (ranging from hours depending on your fitness level). If an aerobic endurance base is developed over time and the training protocols are followed properly, then HIIT can be a safe and effective method of exercise. This exercise is well known for benefits like building cardio endurance and agility while focusing on the entire body. The Best HIIT Workouts for Any Fitness Goal

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for Burning Calories

The best HIIT workouts for weight loss incorporate cardiovascular exercises and strength training movements. Also, you will learn how to modify your high-intensity interval training for weight loss at home alongside the benefits of HIIT workouts to burn fat. If you want to build muscle mass through HIIT workouts while also burning fat, aim to do high intensity interval training ideally 3-5 times per week. HIIT is one of the best forms of cardio for weight loss, that's because HIIT is designed to help the body burn calories in a shorter period compared to moderate-intensity continuous training. The best HIIT for weight loss combines cardio and strength training elements to maximize fat burn and muscle building. This method allows you to test yourself and see your progress as you have goal rounds to beat each time you do the workout. Barbells, kettlebells, and dumbbells are standard equipment options used to reap some strength training benefits during your HIIT routine. If you give yourself a minutes frame, you can see how many times you can go up and down the reps ladder during that time. However, aerobic exercise protocols resulting in prolonged EPOC have shown that the EPOC comprises only 6–15% of the net total exercise oxygen cost . For example, magnitude of EPOC was significantly greater when 30-minute and 50-minute aerobic exercise sessions were divided into two parts. Although EPOC does not appear to have been assessed after HIIE, it is enhanced after split aerobic exercise sessions. During recovery, oxygen consumption is elevated to help restore metabolic processes to baseline conditions. Parasympathetic activation was found to be significantly impaired in a 10-minute recovery period after repeated sprint exercise and a 1-hour recovery period in trained subjects. This requires the lungs to move more air and the heart to pump more blood and deliver it to the working muscles. No matter your age, you can find activities that meet your fitness level and needs and help improve your overall health! To summarise, our diet is hugely important when it comes to losing weight, but exercise does have a role. When not concerning himself with health and technology, James can be found excitedly checking out each week’s New Music Friday releases. She has trained as a Health and Nutrition coach, an indoor cycling instructor, a teacher for Les Mills Tone and Bodypump, and a seniors' fitness instructor. "Take note of your fitness level and your goals, then increase and improve slowly. There really is no quick fix, at least no quick fix that will give you lasting long-term results." Additionally, HIIT can help you to maintain your weight loss in the long term. HIIT workouts are a great way to lose weight quickly and efficiently. HIIT workouts are very efficient, so just around 30 minutes including warming up and cooling down, is all you need. HIIT is a great way to get in shape because it helps you burn more calories in a shorter amount of time. The best time of the day to do HIIT workouts is in the morning, before breakfast. Use HIIT to maximize time efficiency and afterburn, then sprinkle in steady state sessions to build endurance and protect joints. In practical terms, this means you can finish workouts in a shorter window and still see meaningful progress. The real advantage of HIIT comes from speed and the afterburn effect, which can help you reach your goals with fewer weekly minutes. For beginners, start with a manageable version to avoid burnout and gradually push the intensity as you gain confidence. Adding weights to your HIIT routine is a game-changer for building lean muscle, which helps fire up your metabolism long after your workout is over. Choose nine cardio-focused exercises like burpees, high knees, jumping jacks, or mountain climbers. Pick nine full-body exercises (like squats, push-ups, lunges, and rows). One set of eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise is effective, although two or three sets may be more effective. Try to be active throughout your day and avoid sitting for long periods of time. In general, it’s a good idea to be as physically active as you can — even light-intensity movement can be beneficial. It can also help lower the risk of many diseases that are common in older adults, such as diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease. You can gauge your intensity with the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale, which runs from 0 to 10, per Cleveland Clinic. So, how hard should the work periods be during a HIIT workout? Your session ends up lasting only four minutes (not including a warm-up or cooldown). “An elevated heart rate is your body’s physical response to pumping more blood. Although the amount of calories each person will burn during any given day varies, there are still some ways you can increase the amount of energy you burn. “If you’re 60 and less mobile, then you’re not as agile and able to reach as high of an intensity during a workout than if you were an 18-year-old,” Saltos says. Below, you’ll find seven incredible HIIT workouts for weight loss. The intense nature of the workout demands significant energy expenditure, which helps target fat loss, not just weight loss. HIIT stands out as an effective weight loss method because it’s a powerhouse at torching calories, not just during but after your workout, too! In this blog, we’ll reveal how these short, dynamic workouts can be your biggest ally during your weight loss journey. You cannot perform peak-intensity HIIT year-round. Start the session, even for 5 minutes. The scale can lie, especially as you gain muscle. Even 2% dehydration can reduce high-intensity performance by up to 10%. HIIT means short, intense exercise followed by rest. But if you enjoy working out alone, weight training could be the way to go. Others prefer the structured approach of weight training. But, a well-organized weight training plan can also be very efficient. Sign up for practical, helpful, and unique content that can help you elevate your fitness. I’m Murshid Akram, a personal trainer, fitness blogger, and founder of thefitnessphantom.com. If you want to get the best results from this training, I suggest concentrating on diet and recovery as well. Anyone from male and female looking for a beginner’s HIIT workout routine can follow this program for a few months. Getting and staying fit is part of managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. If you exercise regularly, HIIT is a great alternative to your routine. This is a great workout to use on the treadmill or stationary bike. Jumping jacks are a traditional aerobic exercise that enhances cardiovascular fitness, promotes weight loss, and improves muscle endurance. Moreover, as a high-intensity exercise, lunge jumps are excellent for fat burning and, thus, weight loss. This cardio-intensive exercise gets your heart rate up, improving your cardiovascular health and aiding in weight loss. Not only do they work multiple muscle groups, but their high-intensity nature also promotes fat burning, making them an excellent choice for those aiming for weight loss. By constantly challenging your body, HIIT workouts enhance cardiovascular fitness, increase metabolism, and enable fat burning even after the workout ends. When it comes to burning calories, it’s not just about eating less. But if your goal is to build strength, you should be resting the 60 seconds so you are ready for your next set.” “This being said, if this is your goal (just to burn calories) this is great. In addition, the improvement of different fasting programs combined with HIIT on overweight and obese adults needed to be further explored. The more time-saving and safer characteristics make HIIT + fasting a better treatment for the clinical treatment of obesity. Despite these limitations, our study conducted a thorough analysis of the RCTs included, to investigate whether HIIT + fasting has more meaningful effects on overweight and obese adults than other interventions. Fourth, only two control groups of included RCTs were HIIT plans; whether HIIT + fasting had more improvement on overweight and obese adults compared to HIIT was hard to say. To comprehensively analyze the effect of HIIT + fasting intervention, we investigated the duration of HIIT + fasting, the length of the interval, and the fasting plan HIIT combined.
  • You can use the HIIT protocol to build your entire workout, or apply it to just a few sets to create super-charged finishers.
  • Remember, the goal is to build strength and endurance without injury.
  • Nerd Fitness cuts through the fitness B.S.
  • Let us introduce to you our HIIT treadmill workout.
  • The idea is to dramatically spike your heart rate, much like a sprint interval, and have a predetermined amount of rest between each effort.
  • These products are intended to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
  • “Compound movements use multiple muscle groups at once,” Saltos says.
  • Increasing the intensity of your workout and reducing rest time in between reps can help keep your heart rate elevated.
I want to stress, that you can do just about any exercise in exchange for this routine. This is an example of a beginner HIIT workout we might prescribe for our Coaching Clients who are starting to train for their first 5K. For example, you can change the intense interval from 120 seconds to 90 seconds. A good way to know when it’s time to go from one sequence to the next is a timer. To help you get rid of weight you need to mix the exercises in the same way. The exercise you do should be monitored as well as getting a good night’s rest in order to shed weight efficiently. If it is time to lose weight then cardio can be helpful in reducing weight in a short time. Cardio can be used to burn fat, reduce body fat, and lower calorie intake. Harvard Health estimates that a 155-pound (70-kg) person burns around 149 calories per 30 minutes of practicing yoga. These results follow previous observations,16 showing that different training modes have a similar impact on weight and fat mass loss. After 12 weeks of intervention, subjects in the HIIT group achieved a significant weight loss and BMI reduction, which was approximately 6.1% of initial body weight. BDC, baseline data collection; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; GLM, general linear model; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HIIT, high-intensity interval training; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance; HR, heart rate; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; MD, median; MICT, moderate-intensity continuous training; PTDC, post-training data collection; SBP, systolic blood pressure. BMI, body mass index; HIIT, high-intensity interval training; MICT, moderate-intensity continuous training; VO2peak, peak oxygen uptake. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate, in healthy obese adults, whether a 12-week HIIT programme was not inferior to MICT in terms of weight loss.

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A strength-centric, advanced HIIT class utilizing Crunch’s HIIT4 unit (and other stations) to up your strength, balance, lung efficiency, and muscular endurance. HIIT can be tailored to all fitness levels. For example, go all out with jumping jacks for 30 seconds, rest for 20, and repeat as many rounds as you can handle. The picture to the right shows an extreme example of the different training outcomes of a marathoner (“steady state” cardio) and sprinter (high intensity interval training cardio). The Fitness Phantom is a database of hundreds of workout routines and exercises that are supported by ground experience, research journals, and fitness experts. HIIT is a form of high-intensity cardio that involves performing exercises with near-maximal effort, often reaching or exceeding the anaerobic threshold. This program includes bodyweight exercises that require no equipment at all. “You need to recover enough in the rest interval to allow you to go just as hard in the subsequent rounds or sets.” Start with a 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 work-to-rest ratio, he says. First, decide what kind of activity or exercises to do, and then plan how long you’ll go hard and recover. Discover how this type of training can help you exercise more efficiently, and give it a try with our beginner-friendly plan. Since perceived effort is subjective—for example, what feels really hard to your friend may be just moderate to you—interval training is completely customisable. HIIT involves switching between periods of vigorous and easy intensity exercise. Lift your knees high to increase intensity, boost heart rate, improve oxygen uptake, and speed up metabolism. The burpee is a full-body exercise that requires no equipment. The squat is a simple exercise that can easily be done at home at high intensity. Practically speaking, this means you don’t stop moving, but you are doing slower, more controlled movements that help your heart rate come down, she says. The rest period is meant for active recovery. “Once you’re fatigued, the margin for error gets smaller, and that’s when form can break down, and injuries can happen. The level of intensity of HIIT usually doesn't get affected if you're a newbie. Yes, regardless of your current fitness level, there's a HIIT program that will cater to your needs. Aerobic exercise, from walking to riding a bike have been known to decrease the risk of certain cancers, but not enough study has been done in relation to HIIT. Exercising prompts the production of endorphins in the body, a chemical that helps you manage pain and feel happy. “The focus is on varying the intensity level during the workout,” says Lawton. Bursts of higher-intensity activity can bring big results in a short time Read all about health & fitness and stay updated. Gradually increase intensity and duration as fitness improves. This means that you can save time without sacrificing the results. Some research studies have shown that HIIT can provide similar cardiovascular benefits as typical longer cardio sessions through activities like walking and biking. These periods can differ based on how difficult you want the workout to be. HIIT gets the arduous exercise out of the way quickly, not so you can put your feet up, but so you can enjoy more activities that feel less like hard work. But Cowan stresses that you should consult a doctor if you’re new to exercise or have any kind of clinical diagnosis. Don't wait any longer; these stair workouts can help you burn fat and get fit without having to buy any fancy gym equipment. HIIT Ladder workouts are a great way to build endurance, agility and coordination while also burning fat. Make sure to time your rest periods, so your overall workout doesn't exceed 45 minutes. Stadium HIIT workouts are perfect for those who want to take their fat-burning efforts outdoors. Tabata HIIT workouts are one of the most popular and effective fat-burning HIIT workouts. Furthermore, the anaerobic benefits of this training enable individuals to improve their ability to perform high-intensity exercises by increasing muscle strength and power output. HIIT aids in weight loss through various mechanisms, including improving aerobic capacity, building muscle, and enhancing cardiovascular health. Engaging in high-intensity interval training isn't just about burning calories during the workout; it's also a powerhouse at kicking your metabolism into high gear. Still, it can enhance overall fitness and endurance. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is great for your heart. This is important for anyone looking to improve their fitness. These benefits contribute to overall health and wellness. This cycle is repeated, making the workout both efficient and challenging. When and what you eat can be important to how you feel when you exercise. Understand the connection between eating and exercise. And if you begin to feel more breathless, slow down and rest. If you’re new to exercise, start slowly and build up gradually. This pushes muscle fatigue to new levels, which stimulates the release of muscle-building hormones.Another obvious benefit of doing 100 reps with progressively shorter rest periods is increased muscle endurance, which will boost your conditioning—a big advantage if you play sports. For example, if you don’t know what your 10RM is on the bench press, do bench as the first exercise in your chest workout, aiming for a weight that allows you to complete exactly 10 reps, then follow with your typical chest routine. The next time you train that muscle group, decrease the starting weight by five to 10 pounds. This HIIT 100s exercises, select a weight that’s equal to 50 percent of what you could normally do for 10 reps. Don’t worry about going too heavy. This will help build more muscle power and strength, despite using such light weight.On Sets 4-6, keep the movement slow and controlled, focusing on the contraction and squeezing each rep at the top for one to two seconds. And the carbohydrates may allow you to work out for a longer time or at a higher intensity. Studies suggest that eating or drinking carbohydrates before exercise can help you do better during your workout. If you exercise in the morning, get up early enough to finish breakfast at least one hour before your workout. Whether you’re looking to maximize your time at the gym, lose weight, or simply understand how your body works. I've taken eight of the 'Move of the month' exercises we've shared over the past year and created a full body circuit for you to try. This moves is great for firing up your metabolism and helps aid weight loss. “Bodyweight workouts are great because you can do them anywhere, wherever you are in specific for people like me who end up travelling for work,” says Khushrushahi. The highest numbers I saw in the research ranged from 240 to 360 calories for a 20-minute bodyweight HIIT workout in male subjects. Wanting to burn more calories for fat loss? Then all you need is your bodyweight - as long as you pick the right exercises. High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is one of the biggest fitness buzz words that’s come along in the past decade. Remember, the Best hiit running workout for fat loss is within reach. "Choose five to six exercises to perform in a session, such as weighted squats, dumbbell snatches, kettlebell swings, press-ups and jumping lunges." "Another full-body exercise is plank rows which challenge the core, arms, back and chest, as well as provide a cardiovascular challenge." Another study demonstrated that it can reduce body fat percentage, body fat mass, and visceral fat in healthy adults. This includes lifting free weights, using machines, or even using your body weight to perform manoeuvres that tear, repair, and increase your muscle mass. Strength training to build muscle includes resistance and weight training. Any type of cardio can be used with interval training, but I would caution against running more than a few times per week, because the demands on your metabolic system and joints are significant. You increase your metabolism and burn more calories for up to 24 hours after interval training, whereas going for a jog burns almost NO calories after. The “Fat Burning Zone” shown on most cardio equipment as only 60%-65% of max heart rate is really a myth and is NOT optimal for burning fat. There are so many ways to go about programming HIIT into your workouts. If you are a beginner and you are already doing some form of resistance training, start with just one HIIT workout per week, then work up in frequency from there. Essentially, you want to give your body at least a full 24 hours of rest and recovery between sessions. Aerobic physical activity increases your breathing and heart rate. There are also activities that incorporate multiple types of exercise, such as yoga, dancing, or water aerobics. Doing one type of exercise can help improve your ability to do the others, and variety helps reduce boredom and risk of injury. Most people tend to focus on one type of exercise or activity and think they’re doing enough.
  • A simple warm-up could involve light cardio and dynamic stretches.
  • If a 30-second interval is too long, start with 20 seconds.
  • This is because as workout intensity increases, your body relies on muscle glycogen rather than fat stores for energy.
  • That’s not to say high-impact training is in any way bad.
  • And compared to many other cardio workouts, HIIT can be a more effective way of getting shredded, Sulaver explains.
  • There are two components of losing weight, they are diet and exercise.
There is a blend of cardio-focused exercises, like mountain climbers, and strength-building moves, like planks and push-ups. This time-efficient workout style is an excellent way to burn energy, boost your metabolism, and build strength without much equipment or spending hours at the gym. A meta-analysis looking at the effect of HIIT and MICT on cardiovascular risk factors in adults with overweight or obesity found that both significantly decreased weight, body fat percentage, and total cholesterol, and improved the body’s use of oxygen. Fitness centers and gyms that offer Tabata classes are typically minutes and encourage participants to reach their highest intensity ability, but they can self-regulate their workouts.
  • But you absolutely don’t need a fancy gym, workout plan, or even any equipment at all—just find an activity that gets your heart rate up, and then apply the HIIT format to it.
  • In summary, exercise bikes are a valuable tool for weight loss and overall fitness.
  • This workout doesn’t focus on improving flexibility.
  • It is also important to note that overweight and obese people are bound to see much more significant results as compared to all who are leaner.
  • The study also stated that muscle cells, like those in the brain and heart, wear out and aren’t easily replaced, so if exercise prevents deterioration of mitochondria in muscle cells, or even restores them, then it likely does so in other tissues too.
  • Although cycling is traditionally done outdoors, many gyms and fitness centers have stationary bikes that allow you to cycle while staying indoors.
  • HIIT workouts make you sweat—a lot.
  • Others prefer the structured approach of weight training.
  • LeafyBark isn’t just a source of information; it’s a community where health-conscious individuals connect and thrive.
  • Alright, let’s chat about how to actually do some interval training.
But like any powerful tool, from Apple Fitness+ to the WHOOP 5.0 band, it requires the right application to avoid burnout. Susanna Barrett is a UK fitness instructor at leading interactive fitness brand Echelon Fitness. Remember to keep the core engaged and neck in line with the rest of your spine. Lower your body until your chest is in line with elbows and push yourself back up. Ensure the body is straight from head to heels. Trying a group class or training with a friend makes fitness feel less like a chore and more like a community event. Pushing too hard without adequate rest is a common mistake that can lead to burnout and injury, setting you back from your goals. Think of your time outside the gym as the essential support system for the effort you put in during every workout. This form of training boosts cardiovascular endurance while contributing to increased muscle strength and power output. Building muscle through high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve oxygen consumption. You challenge your muscles to adapt and grow stronger through high-intensity interval training. We know time is precious, so we love how HIIT workouts maximize calorie burn in a short period. This is directly related to the calorie burning potential of exercise. That said, the type of exercise in terms of intensity is important. This would mean completing 300 minutes of exercise per week, which is consistent with the high-frequency and low-frequency exercise study mentioned earlier. You want to pair HIIT with other exercises—strength training, yoga, or steady-state cardio—for a well-rounded fitness regimen. Most HIIT workouts incorporate upper-body exercises, such as push-ups, squats, and lunges, which work for several large muscle groups. Whether you aim to burn fat, increase endurance, or build strength, the HIITZone’s varied workouts target all fitness goals. It’s best to have an aerobic foundation (meaning that you’ve been doing regular aerobic exercise for several weeks) before doing HIIT, adds Wong. Complete four rounds in total with minimal rest between sets. So, we’ve seen that HIIT has the edge regarding muscle gain. However, Wiener says there are two reasons he believes HIIT has the edge when it comes to cutting fat. This produces greater forces which your muscles, tendons, and bones must absorb. That’s because you’ll experience more “airtime” and will be traveling faster when you hit the ground. Subsequently, I believe that every trainer and coach should try strapping on a 50-pound weight vest and doing burpees.