HIIT is Getting Enormous Internet Attention But Is It Any Good?  The American College of Sports Medicine Seems to Think So.

If you search for any fitness related material on the internet you are certain to find references to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).  You are also likely to see some pretty extravagant claims:

• “Get ripped in 30 minutes per week”
• “Fat Free – in just 3 ten minute sessions per week”
• “Get the six pack you have always wanted in just 3 short training sessions a week”
• Burn up to 9x more fat and calories than with traditional cardio

Sounds brilliant – but is it true?

Well HIIT has been well researched and the benefits it can deliver are well established.  The problem is that there are so many fitness gurus claiming that everything they do is HIIT that it makes it difficult to know what is good HIIT and what is bad.

Read the American College of Sports Medicines (ACSM) introduction to HIIT below.  It provides you with an excellent grounding to evaluate whether HIIT is for you or not.

Read the article now…

The Basics of High-Intensity Interval Training

Interval training has been utilized by athletic training programs for years, often due to the speed and bursts of movement required by team and individual sports, from basketball players to sprinters.

Until recently, many people weren’t familiar with the concept – but with the popularization of the 7-Minute Workout and other high-intensity workouts that follow specific timing, you can’t open a fitness magazine without reading about the latest routine that promises muscle-building, fat-burning results in a period of time that is barely enough time to walk from your desk to your car.

While some may sound too good to be true – when done correctly, high-intensity interval training is a proven workout, with health benefits that are backed by research.

What You Should Know Before You Get Started

High-intensity interval training isn’t just for athletes – but if you’re new to exercise programs, or are thinking about substantially increasing your activity level, first answer these quick questions:

• Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition or that you should participate in physical activity only as recommended by a doctor?
• Do you feel pain in your chest during physical activity?
• In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
• Do you lose your balance from dizziness? Do you ever lose consciousness?
• Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
• Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs for your blood pressure or a heart condition?
• Do you know of any reason you should not participate in physical activity?

Answer “yes” to one or more? Over 40 and recently inactive? Concerned about your health in general? If you fit any of these three categories, you should consult a physician before starting your new fitness program.

If you’re not sure where to begin – consult a trained fitness professional who can help determine the right program for you.

Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training

One of the main benefits of HIIT is adaptability – unlike many more specialized workouts, it can easily be modified for all fitness levels, as well as special conditions including diabetes and overweight populations. And, HIIT programs can be built around many exercise modes, from biking, to swimming, to group exercise classes.

Fitness-wise, because of their vigorous nature, HIIT workouts burn more calories after a session is over than other traditional workouts. Studies have shown that HIIT workouts also improve:

• aerobic and anaerobic fitness
• blood pressure
• cardiovascular health
• insulin sensitivity
• cholesterol profiles
• abdominal fat and body weight while maintaining muscle mass.

Developing an HIIT Exercise Program

Four factors are considered in developing an HIIT Exercise Program…

To continue reading the ACSM view on HIIT head on over to read the article in full on the ACSM website now…

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