Weight loss is a tough subject. Anyone starting their journey is almost always overwhelmed. With so many things to pick and choose from, how do you know what’s right and what isn’t? Naturally, people pick one method of exercise and try it for a period of time, only to give up when they see minimal results. They get discouraged and go back to their old ways, only to repeat the cycle down the line when the next latest and greatest fad comes into play.
Are you someone who is living that life and wants to do finally something about it? If so, you should know that there is one type of training that has been giving people excellent results. Not just any results, but real, life-changing results that last. It’s known as high-intensity interval training, and it can help you mold your body into something you can truly be proud of!
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): The Beginning of Your Weight Loss Success
High-intensity interval training (also known as HIIT) is a unique exercise method that has been proven to increase fat loss while keeping muscle mass intact. It requires short bursts of intensive aerobic activity with small windows of rest in between, thus pushing your heart rate towards your maximum, rather than keeping it stuck in the “fat loss” zone.
If you haven’t been getting the results you’ve wanted to with traditional exercise and want to try something different, HIIT is worth trying. To give you even more of a reason to give it a shot, check out these 5 incredible benefits you could get by making it your main method of exercise:
#1 – It Gives Your Body a Metabolic Boost Long After Training is Over
High-intensity interval training is special for the fact that it grabs your metabolism by the horns and takes it for a wild ride! After your initial training session is over, your metabolism is still revved up and running in high gear, resulting in more calories burned over a 24 hour period (when compared to traditional exercise). The more calories you are able to melt off throughout the day equates to a higher percentage of weight loss over time.
Some folks argue that steady-state cardio (such as walking on a treadmill for an hour) will burn more calories than a 20 minute HIIT session. While the comparison itself is, in fact, true, many forget that it’s not how many calories you burn in a workout, but how many you actually burn in a day. If you want to annihilate fat, high-intensity interval training is the way to go.
#2 – It Doesn’t Require All of Your Time
We live in a busy world where every ounce of free time is treasured like a family heirloom. People don’t have an hour or two a day to dedicate to their workout. The misconception that long workouts equal more fat loss is half the reason why many people don’t make exercise a part of their daily life, to begin with.
HIIT is great for this exact reason. Most workouts can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes, yet the benefits will last all day. If you can’t find a way to squeeze in a 20 to 30-minute workout each day, it might be time to reassess your goals and figure out how you can alter your schedule to make it work. Try it for a couple of weeks and see how you do. Once you see your results, you will wonder how you never had the time to make it happen!
#3 – It’s Flexible and Can Be Done Anywhere (No Gym Required)
Hate going to the gym? You’re not alone. If you barely have enough time to exercise, how can anyone expect you to drive to a gym and get your workout in? When you consider the time it takes to exercise and travel, it can take up a significant chunk of your day (or night).
Here’s the deal – HIIT can be done at any place, any time! In fact, you can get in a fat blasting workout that will ignite your metabolism right in the privacy of your own home. No special equipment is required. All you need is your body and a few minutes to make your weight loss goals become a reality.
#4 – Your Endurance Will Dramatically Increase
Are you constantly fighting for energy in the middle of the day? Do you wish you could keep up with your kids or be able to run without gasping for air? Whatever the case may be, high-intensity interval training can help break you out of the funk and give you the energy you need to make it through anything.
When you adopt HIIT as your exercise of choice, you will focus on aerobic fitness and strength/bodyweight training. As your body starts to shed fat and add on some muscle, you will start to feel more energetic and alive. Ask anyone who has adopted a HIIT regimen and they will tell you the same thing. It flat out works!
#5 – Muscle Loss is Limited
When most people start an exercise routine with the goal of losing weight in mind, it’s almost a sure bet that some muscle mass will be lost in the process. The reason is due to the typical steady-state cardiovascular exercise approach. If you’re walking on the treadmill for an hour a day and limiting your exposure to any sort of strength training, you can’t expect to retain most of the muscle hiding under your fat.
By following a proper high-intensity interval training protocol, you can actually limit your muscle loss while melting the fat away from your frame at the same time. You will also be able to build strength and sculpt your body in the process. No matter how you look at it, the process is a win-win.
Related Articles By Cathe:
How to Incorporate Interval Training Into Your Exercise Program
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Ripped With HiiT Workout Series
All of Cathe’s HiiT and Interval Workout DVDs
