Ho, ho, ho – the holidays are here!
For most people, the holidays have a negative impact on their efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. For one, it means lots and lots of unhealthy foods, buffets and alcohol. Secondly, it means that all of us have a little less time in our already busy schedules to hit the gym. As a result, many of us tend to gain weight during the holidays.
But here’s a quick fix that not only prevent holiday weight gain – but actually cause you to lose weight. Yes, lose weight during the holidays. It’s called high intensity interval training – and it will absolutely rock your world.
Consider this: A recent study led by Jason Talanian in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that subjects who completed just seven sessions of high intensity interval training over the course of two weeks boosted their aerobic capacity by 13 percent and increased fat burning capacity by 36 percent. In a separate study that followed participants for 15 weeks, researchers discovered that the high intensity interval training group experienced 9 times as much fat loss as those performing regular cardio.
While regular cardio burns calories during the exercise, high intensity interval training actually boosts your metabolism and causes more calories to be burned all day long. Even while you’re watching TV. Or standing in line at the buffet.
I bet I have your attention now!
With a typical cardio program, participants run at a set speed and intensity for the duration of their workout. We’ve all seen people spending 30 minutes (or even more!) walking endlessly on the treadmill or peddling on the bike. While it’s better than sitting on the couch, the benefits for this type of cardio training (called endurance training) are fairly limited – especially when compared to high intensity interval training.
High intensity interval training sessions are much shorter. In essence, it involves alternating very intense exercise with moderate intensity exercise or active rest. While it can come in a variety of forms, I prefer performing my intervals on the treadmill. I sprint as fast as I can for 60 seconds, and then jog for 90 seconds. I do this for 15 minutes, and it absolutely kicks my butt. You can do it on the bike, elliptical – or even at home without any equipment. Try doing some vigorous bodyweight exercises like burpees or push-ups for 30 seconds followed by 15 seconds of rest. Keep repeating this for 10 or 15 minutes.
So why isn’t high intensity interval training more popular than it is? Well, it’s because most people don’t understand how effective it is. It’s got to be the best kept fitness secret ever. Moreover, it’s challenging. It’s easy to walk on a treadmill for 45 minutes; the same can’t be said for 15 minutes of high intensity interval training. It’s hard work! But it’s totally worth it.
High intensity interval training is great for the holidays because it’s such a fast workout. Though we’re all strapped for time during the holidays, all of us can set aside 10 minutes for a good, quick and effective workout. Give it a try – and let me know what you think!
Absolutely right! I tried the training on treadmill in the past, just 2 weeks u can feel the difference in ur bod!!:)
This is so true, it is awesome!
And I do this on the treadmill as well but I’ve been criticized on how I do it already: I do 60s at 3.5mph and 30s at 9.5/10mph (depending on how I feel) and was told I’m not going “all balls out” enough… really…?
I’m confused…
30 seconds at 9.5/10mph, while a fast pace, isn’t really long enough to “stress” your body and going all out. However, with that said, if you’re not to the level where you can do the full 60 seconds at the same speed, then you’re right where you should be. You should always be gradually increasing your effort in order to see gains, and if you’ve been doing the speeds/times at which you’ve stated for more than 2 weeks, you might want to consider going 10 seconds longer with the sprint…even if it’s only for the first couple of sprints. It goes the same for weight training: you don’t *have* to do all of the sets at the new, higher weight, but you should at least try the first set or even two (even finish with lower weight on the 2nd if you can’t finish the set completely) before going down in weight. Remember: “Doing more of the same will give you the same results.” Good luck in your endeavors!
well that explains why ive lost weight… w/o even realising it, ive been doing high intensity interval training on the elliptical.. ftw!
I always tell people that the more carbohydrates you burn during exercise, the more fat you will burn after you’re done. HIIT is perfect for that.
well-its sure worth a try-must kick butt-i do 3.5 on tredmill everyday-except right now its raining outside pretty good-my current routine calls for biking to workout club-i have to-my drivers licence is currently suspended.in many ways right now-it actually can benefit me.biking a ten minutes to healthclub is gr8-but not working up a sweat.so i still do cardio on tredmill-plus my alternate upper body/lower body machine circuit workout along with free weights-and end with 50 incline situps-works for me.ive seen others do this intense training on tredmill-think eventually i will try it.
Been trying to get myself in shape for next summer and have had alot of help from my partner. He was a cross country runner and he used to do this form of trainning but he calls it Fartlek. Either way its a great way to get in shape.
So would you’re work out go something like this?
5 minute warm up
15 minute HIIT
5 minute cool down
And would you suggest the treadmill or elliptical for HIIT?
I do that once or twice a week in my spinning bike, i didn’t knew it was called HIIT…
It’s a great advice, and I’m glad to know that I’ve been doing the right stuff.
Hi Davey!
Awesome site btw =)
Can you please explain to me if the following is considered a HIIT?
I run at a 1.5 incline
I alternate from 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 every 60 seconds. I am only 5′ 3″.
Thank you!
Loann