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It’s no secret that many people are on the hunt for a new way to spice up their workout routine. They want something intense and high-intensity, but still fun. HIIT workouts may be just what you need!
What Is HIIT?
HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training, meaning it is a type of exercise that alternates between short periods of high intensity activity and brief recovery periods. The basic idea is to push yourself as hard as you can for a short burst of time, then take a short break to recover, and repeat.
Why High Intensity Interval Training?
There are many reasons why people love HIIT workouts. One reason is that they are very effective in burning calories and fat. In fact, you can burn more calories in a HIIT workout than you would in a traditional “steady state” workout like jogging on the treadmill.
Another reason people love High Intensity Interval Training workouts is that they are very versatile. You can do HIIT with any type of exercise, from running to swimming to biking to jump roping. And, HIIT workouts can be as long or as short as you want them to be.
6 Tips for Adding HIIT to Your Workout
Now that you know a little bit more about High Intensity Interval Training, here are 6 tips for adding HIIT to your workout routine:
Start Slow
If you’re new to HIIT, it’s important to start slow and gradually increase the intensity. You don’t want to overdo it and risk injury or burnout. Due to the intensity of HIIT workouts, it’s also important to make sure you warm up before starting and cool down afterwards.
According to the Mayo Clinic there are numerous benefits of stretching increasing increasing lung capacity, aiding in digestion, and improving circulation. Some great stretches to add to your warm-up routine are arm circles, leg swings, and jumping jacks. For your cool down, consider doing some light cardio like walking or slow jogging and static stretches such as lunges with a twist or standing quad stretch.
Choose the Right Exercise
As we mentioned before, you can do HIIT with any type of exercise. However, some exercises are better suited for HIIT than others. When choosing an exercise for your HIIT workout, it’s important to consider two things: impact and intensity.
For example, running is a high-impact exercise that can be very intense. This makes it a great choice for HIIT. There are several treadmill HIIT workout plans you can find online that alternate between periods of running and walking.
On the other hand, an exercise like swimming is low-impact and can be moderate to high intensity, depending on how fast you swim. This makes it a great choice for people who are new to HIIT or are looking for a less intense workout.
Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
When doing HIIT, it’s important to focus on quality, not quantity. This means that you should be going all-out for the high-intensity intervals and then resting completely during the recovery periods.
It’s also important to make sure you are using proper form when doing HIIT. This will help prevent injury and ensure that you are getting the most out of your workout.
Mix it Up
If you find yourself getting bored with HIIT, mix things up! There are endless possibilities when it comes to HIIT workouts. You can change the exercises you use, the duration of your intervals, the intensity of your intervals, or anything else you can think of.
The important thing is to keep your body guessing and challenged. This will help you avoid plateauing and see continued results from your HIIT workouts.
Find a Friend
HIIT workouts can be intense, but they can also be a lot of fun! One way to make HIIT more enjoyable is to find a workout buddy. This will help you stay motivated and accountable. It’s also a great way to socialize and make new friends.
If you don’t have any friends who are interested in HIIT, try joining a local HIIT class or group. This is a great way to meet new people and get in a great workout at the same time.
Set a Schedule
HIIT workouts are very versatile, but it’s still a good idea to set a schedule. This will help you stay on track and make sure you are getting enough HIIT workouts in each week.
A good rule of thumb is to do HIIT 2-3 times per week. This will give your body time to recover between workouts. If you are just starting out, you may want to start with 1-2 HIIT workouts per week and then gradually increase the frequency as your body adjusts.
HIIT Workouts at Home
You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to do HIIT. In fact, HIIT workouts are great to do at home. All you need is a little space and some basic equipment.
One of the great things about HIIT is that you can do it anywhere, anytime. If you have 10 minutes to spare, you can squeeze in a quick HIIT workout. Or, if you have an hour to spare, you can do a longer HIIT workout.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to HIIT workouts. You can do bodyweight exercises, use resistance bands, dumbbells, or kettlebells. You can also use cardio machines like a treadmill, elliptical, or rowing machine.
The important thing is to find an exercise that you enjoy and that challenges you. Once you find a few exercises that you like, you can start putting together your own HIIT workouts.
HIIT Workouts for Beginners
If you are new to HIIT, it’s important to start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. This will help you avoid injury and make sure you are getting the most out of your HIIT workouts.
Here is a basic HIIT workout for beginners:
-Warm up for 5 minutes
-Do each exercise for 30 seconds followed by a 10-second rest
-Repeat the circuit 2-3 times
Jogging in place
Jump squats
Mountain climbers
High knees
Butt kicks
Side shuffle
Skaters
Plank taps
As you get more comfortable with HIIT, you can start to increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. You can also add more exercises to your routine.
Final Thoughts
HIIT is a great way to add some variety to your workout routine. It’s also an excellent way to challenge your body and see results. Just remember to warm up, cool down, focus on quality over quantity, and mix things up to avoid boredom. And don’t forget to find a friend to help you stay motivated!
