5 Reasons To Ditch Your Cardio for HIIT Exercises. (High Intensity Interval Training).
For years, people were under the assumption that cardio meant running, walking, or playing a sport. While these activities are excellent for your body, they can get a little redundant after an extended period of time. Not to mention, not everyone enjoys running or has the time to play a sport.
Over the years, fitness has exploded into its own culture. There are countless gurus explaining the secret to their killer abs and arms. Some say yoga is the key while others rely on kickboxing. However, despite the different means of working out, there is one form that combines almost every aspect of personal fitness. That is, HIIT; or, High-Intensity Interval Training.
The name may sound intimidating, but the reality is quite approachable. Many athletes and fitness experts swear by HIIT workouts for their unique combination of strength and cardio. Not to mention, it’s extremely effective. Many have seen results almost immediately! If you’ve wondered how and why this workout is so effective, consider these five reasons to put HIIT into your fitness routine.
1. Burns More Calories
One of the main reasons behind implementing a new workout regimen is to burn more calories. A recent study found that a person engaging in a 15-minute HIIT workout will burn more than a 60-minute treadmill session. Since HIIT workouts are time-based, this means you have to push your hardest in those few minutes. This means your body is working twice as hard for a small amount of time.
2. You Burn Calories After Your Workout
Yes, you can burn calories after the gym and you can only do this through HIIT workouts. Since your body has to recover from the amount of work you just put in, this process could take up to 24-hours. During that time, your body is burning fat as a means to “catch up.” This phenomenon makes HIIT workouts so appealing.
3. HIIT Improves Cardiovascular Health
Cardio is known for its many heart benefits. Since HIIT incorporates cardio on a time constraint, it also works to build the strength of the heart. Intervals are key to building endurance. You are able to take the necessary number of breaks in order to come back stronger than ever. This process works to build your heart without completely tiring you out.
4. HIIT Burns Fat and Builds Muscle
Cardio is known for eliminating excessive fat on the body. Although it’s necessary for every workout routine, you don’t want to lose too much fat. You want to be able to incorporate some form of strength training into your routine in order to sculpt those muscles.
HIIT workouts are like the best of both worlds. They allow you to build muscle without compromising on the fat. This approach is also less time consuming! Shorter workouts; better results.
5. HIIT Reduces Blood Sugar
A recent study found that HIIT workouts can possibly reduce blood sugar levels. Researchers even found that insulin is more resistant to pathogens when engaging in this form of exercise. This insulin resistance makes HIIT an ideal option for individuals struggling with diabetes.
At the end of the day, all forms of physical activity are beneficial to your overall health. The main difference rests in the nature of the activities. It is far wiser to work smarter and harder during a short span of time. This way, you are able to fully maximize your time and reach optimal benefits.
If you are interested in pursuing HIIT workouts, research available ones online! The good news about these exercises is that you can get creative and do them however you’d like. There’s nothing better than a fun and effective workout session.
