Summary
HIIT workouts are a fast and effective way to get in shape, combining intense bodyweight movements with minimal rest for maximum impact. They burn calories during and after the workout, target multiple muscle groups, and improve heart, lung, and brain function. With no need for equipment, HIIT is accessible to anyone looking to build strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
A HITT workout has numerous benefits, it is one of the best ways to get into shape quickly. Regardless of how fit you are, the purpose of these high-intensity workouts is to get you huffing and puffing.
The theory is to use all of your energy in short bursts. These short yet intense sets are followed by relatively less rest too. Using just bodyweight movements, your entire body can be worked out.
This is just one of the benefits of a HITT workout. The routine was put together by Kori Lindsay, founder of Perfiit. Kori has over a decade of experience in the world of fitness, a master trainer who has put together a vigorous workout.
Kori’s HITT Workout
To reap serious benefits from this HITT workout, Kori has a few tips for you. These fast-paced circuits are all about intensity, pushing yourself to your limits. However, over-exhaustion is counterproductive. Kori suggests:
- Stick to an intensity that’s maintainable for the duration of the round
- Don’t compromise form at the expense of intensity
- On repeating this workout do more than you did during your previous attempt. This will ensure you stretch your capacity to make progress
Guidelines for this circuit: 1 minute on | 20 seconds rest | 6 rounds total of each exercise.
Benefits Of a HITT Workout
1. HITT Burns
HITT workouts are based on moving quickly with less amount of rest in between. This approach will definitely put your body into overdrive. During the HITT workout, your body is using the same amount of energy (or a bit more) as normal workouts.
However, the real burn starts post-workout. A 2019 study showed that HITT workouts burn more calories after workouts. On average, post-HITT workouts you are burning 3 kilocalories per minute vs. 2.8 kilocalories per minute after a steady-state run. This natural phenomenon is called EPOC or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.
2. HITT Targets Many Muscle Groups
Bodyweight movements have always been a very effective way to workout major muscle groups. HITT workouts involve mixed exercises and with the intensity, your whole body is in motion.
HITT workouts are made up of movements that target different muscle groups. This intensity is great for building strong muscles and endurance.
3. HITT Helps With Blood And Oxygen Flow
A study found that the group that participated in HITT had greater cardiorespiratory capacity.
Another study reported that a single HITT session helped improve blood flow to the brain. As compared to normal exercises, HITT helps to improve the conditions of the heart and lungs.
Key Takeaway
There are numerous benefits of a HITT workout. The best part is that they don’t require much. You don’t need a gym membership or weights or even a lot of guidance. Just with bodyweight movements and high intensity, you can burn or build. HITT workouts are optimal for getting into shape, building endurance, and strength. Your body itself is an amazing fitness masterpiece with its miniature mechanisms and systems. And HITT workouts are an ideal body hack.
FAQs
What is a HIIT workout?
A HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workout alternates between short bursts of intense activity and brief rest or lower-intensity periods. These workouts are designed to maximize calorie burn, improve endurance, and strengthen muscles. The fast-paced structure challenges your cardiovascular system and can be done with or without equipment, making it accessible for all fitness levels.
How long should a HIIT workout be?
A typical HIIT workout lasts 20 to 30 minutes, including both work and rest intervals. The actual duration can vary based on your fitness level and the exercises included. Even shorter sessions, around 10-15 minutes, can be effective when done with high intensity, as the goal is to maximize effort during each interval.