Photo by Shayla Girardin
Short for “High Intensity Interval Training,” HIIT is a new workout method that is taking the fitness world by storm.
HIIT is a creative way to burn fat effectively by alternating between high and low intensity interval training. According to bodybuilding.com, HIIT is much more efficient than standard cardio because participants can push their aerobic endurance to a whole new level.
HIIT is ideal for students with busy schedules, according to Fitness Studio Manager and biology student Michael Mori,
“The unique aspect of HIIT is its ability to keep your body burning fat even after you leave the gym,” Mori wrote in an email to the Graphic.
“By incorporating intense periods of work with short recovery segments, intervals allow you to keep the workout intensity high while still maintaining form.”
With HIIT, you can effectively burn the same amount of calories in far less time! According to muscleandfitness.com, if you’re working harder, your metabolic rate will increase, meaning you’re burning more calories during your training period and while recovering.
“Heart rate is key,” Mori wrote. “That’s the speedometer of the body. If we speed the body up, it will burn more calories, just as a car will burn more fuel if it speeds up.”
In fact, some studies estimate that HIIT keeps your metabolism elevated for as long as 24 hours after your workout has concluded, so you’re burning calories long after you’re finished.
HIIT can be incorporated into a variety of workouts, including running, cycling and bodybuilding. The key is to push your body for a short amount of time (perhaps for a minute or two) then scale back to allow your body a recovery. An example of this would be running on the treadmill at an increased speed for 2 to 3 minutes then reducing speed for 3 to 4 minutes. These easy steps aren’t hard to incorporate into your workouts and provide great results!
Pepperdine’s Campus Recreation has begun to incorporate HIIT into their workout program.
“Campus Recreation incorporates HIIT in most of our classes,” Mori wrote. These classes include cardio-kickboxing, caveman training, kettle bells and cycling.
The next time you’re in the gym hop on a treadmill and incorporate some HIIT into your workout!
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Follow Shayla Girardin on Twitter: @Shaylagthatsme
