If you’ve ever busted your butt in a bootcamp or crossfit style workout you’re already familiar with HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training. It’s a knock out, drag down, push till you puke kinda workout if I’m being honest. While it seems to be a favorite fat burning workout of choice of many personal trainers, it has a lot of merits other than just making you sweat! If you have no idea what I’m talking about and still asking “what is high intensity interval training” then let’s start from the beginning.

HIIT is also referred to as high intensity intermittent exercise or even sprint interval training. By definition it is a workout strategy when one alternates short intense segments of anaerobic exercise with less intense and active recovery periods. In comparison, most endurance workouts like rowing, stair-climbing or running keep your heart rate and exertion level at a moderate intensity.

What are the benefits of High Intensity Interval Training?
Well aside from the cardiovascular benefits, it’s one of the most effective fat burning workouts you can do! HIIT workouts tend to decrease fasting insulin and increase insulin sensitivity which is related to that nasty belly fat or (subcutaneous fat) that we all want to get rid of!

What does a HIIT workout consist of?
Generally speaking the high intensity part of the workout is sustained for anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. I say generally because there is no exact definition, but the higher the intensity the shorter the speed. The recovery part of the interval training is usually equal to the “intense” part. HIIT workouts can also incorporate weights or just simply using your own body weight. Most bootcamp or crossfit workouts follow this type of interval training. (so you might wanna grab a pair of crossfit gloves to protect your hands)

What is a sample High Intensity Interval Training Workout look like?
It can really be as simple as a combination of Sprints and recovery periods – which most people may be familiar with from their personal training sessions. If you’re still asking “what is high intensity interval training” get off your bum and try this:

60 second sprint or fast jog followed by
60 second slow jog or walk

Now do that a couple more times without rest and voila… you’re now a fan of a HIIT workout! Regardless of what exercises the workout itself involves it is sure to be your go to workout for leaning up and stripping off that last pesky 10 pounds!

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