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Home Why HIIT is All the Rage in the Fitness Industry

Why HIIT is All the Rage in the Fitness Industry

A few years back, a little-known training concept in the world of health and fitness emerged which was known as HIIT. It caught on and proved to be very popular. Some in the fitness industry predicted it to be nothing more than a fad which would soon die off and be replaced by something else.

Here we are, though, years later, and HIIT is now just as popular as ever. In fact, HIIT’s popularity is at an all-time high and it continues to go from strength to strength. Whether you’re looking to get fit, burn fat, or just try something new and exciting when training, HIIT has got all bases covered. Here’s a detailed look at HIIT and a look at why HIIT is all the rage in the fitness industry.

To get things up and running today (see what we did there?) we’re going to start by looking at what HIIT actually is. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It is a training protocol in which participants will alternate between spells of slow and steady exercise, and fast-paced, high intensity exercise, for several rounds. If you want a quick and very basic explanation of HIIT, imagine walking for 30 seconds, then sprinting as fast as you can for 30 seconds, before slowing down and walking again before repeating the pattern for several rounds. Typically, a HIIT workout will last around 20 minutes. HIIT is especially beneficial in that it helps to improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness. HIIT is often associated with cardio, though in truth, it can be incorporated into virtually any form of exercise.

What makes HIIT so special?

Now we’re going to look at some of the main benefits associated with HIIT workouts:

  • Burn fat – One of the best things about HIIT is the fact that it enables you to burn fat. During a HIIT session, you can easily burn several hundred calories. After you finish training, though, your metabolism temporarily increases as a result of what is known as the ‘afterburn effect’. This lasts several hours, and it basically means that you become more efficient at burning calories, even in a rested state.
  • Save time – A typical HIIT session will last around 20 – 30 minutes in length. During that time, though, you will burn off upwards of 400 calories, if not more, making it a great way of working out and saving time in the process.
  • Very adaptable –  You can perform HIIT workouts on the treadmill, whilst out running, whilst using free weights, when doing bodyweight training, when cycling, when swimming, and a whole lot more besides. Basically, HIIT can be adapted around virtually any form of training at all, making it ideal for everybody.
  • Increase explosive speed and power – One of the best things about HIIT is the fact that it can help you to train and build up your fast-twitch muscle fibres. These fibres are responsible for generating explosive speed and power. So, whether you want to sprint faster, jump higher, or press more weight, HIIT is a very beneficial form of training that will enable you to do exactly that.