High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, is a popular form of cardiovascular endurance training involving short bursts of high intensity and long rest periods. The goal behind this training is to elevate your heart rate for a short period, allow it to regulate and slow down during a rest period, and then repeat the process for a set number of “rounds.” HIIT has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are some of the main benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training:
- Time Utilization. HIIT workouts are quick, typically between 15 and 30 minutes long. This is great for people with busy schedules or people that are easily bored while exercising. This allows for an effective workout in much less time than traditional workouts.
- EPOC. HIIT elicits a bodily phenomenon known as Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC). Commonly known as the “afterburn effect,” this process allows your body to burn calories after you’ve completed your HIIT workout. HIIT training places your body into a significant oxygen debt, meaning that your body must replenish those oxygen stores after your workout concludes. The recovery process allows your body to burn calories for hours after your workout.
- Increased Heart Health. The alternating high-intensity periods push your heart rate to a high range, which forces the heart to adapt and become more efficient. The result is enhanced heart function, greater aerobic capacity, and a healthier cardiovascular system.
HIIT is a great tool to include in your workout routine, and these are just 3 of the many benefits of this type of training!
