A HIIT workout can be tricky to define because, at its core, it just means a string of exercises that gets your heart racing, providing a calorie-burning cardio boost to what would otherwise be a serviceable, but less kinetic workout.
Yes, OK, we just said it’s hard to define, OK? Let’s give Lucie Cowan, expert PT from Third Space, a chance to explain. “HIIT or High-intensity interval training, simply means a workout that mixes periods of hard or all-out effort with shorter rest periods. It has been proven to be an extremely effective and time-efficient form of training.”
Still with us? “However, you’ll only reap the benefits if you push yourself out of your comfort zone, as exercise intervals must be performed at an intensity of at least 80 per cent of your max heart rate,” she explains.
What are the benefits of HIIT workout?
The question we all want to know is, does HIIT burn belly fat? And yes, it absolutely does. A recent meta analysis of studies into HIIT found it reduced both total abdominal and visceral fat mass. Which is a double thumbs up. What’s more, because you’re working hard for an intense burst, 20 minutes is more than enough to reap the benefits.
“HIIT is not only incredibly time efficient, but can be an absolute game changer for your physique and also your tolerance for and recovery from fatigue,” adds strength and conditioning coach Arby Keheli. Because of this, to the fitness aficionado, HIIT workouts are like cat nip. To the rookie, they’re hell on a gym mat.
No matter where you sit on this spectrum, those who regularly partake in HIIT will help you live longer. No cap! Intensive movement like HIIT, PT Monty Simmons says, is proven to enhance your body’s mitochondrial quality (that is, how well your body performs the cellular stuff that keeps us alive). “This is not unique to HIIT,” says Simmons, “because general cardio does this too, but the intensity is a strong driver.” HIIT boosts longevity by driving “a higher VO2 max which is strongly linked to better metabolism and cardiovascular health and improved glucose uptake which is essential to how well your muscles absorb and store carbohydrates.”
Despite the love/hate relationship most gym-goers have with HIIT, it’s not only remained popular through the years, but is growing ever more so, especially among celebrities, as Farren Morgan, founder of The Tactical Athlete training method explains. “Celebrities hold a lot of importance on their appearance, so it’s no surprise that many would opt for HIIT workouts because they allow you to achieve significant results in a shorter timeframe,” he explains. “Tactical athletes regularly integrate HIIT workouts with our functional fitness training through real-life movements to enhance our strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, and combat fitness skills.”
There’s a good chance you’re not (currently) a celebrity or a tactical athlete. But don’t worry, HIIT still has many benefits for you. And it’s not all about your body, either. “HIIT exercises assist with mood regulation and further our brain function to sharpen our awareness and transform us into lean, robust, and all-rounded athlete,” Morgan adds.
Can anyone hit up a HIIT class?
Yes, and no. The full-impact stuff really puts your knees to the test, so if yours aren’t up to it, you’re better off trying a lower impact alternative or giving HIIT a miss altogether. Simmons explains why: “High-intensity, high-impact movements magnify the load on joints that are already sensitised, and moving very vigorously with high volume can flare them up and leave you feeling beat up.”