Everyone knows about the benefits of physical exercise, but it can be hard to fit it into the picture. Our lives are busier than ever, yet we still need to find the time to take care of our physical wellbeing.

What if there was something you didn’t know? A secret that some of the world’s most successful athletes utlilize?

It’s not some infomercial-style quick-fix, it’s a REAL exercise method that brings REAL results.

Instead of aimlessly hopping between machines at the gym, try a workout regime that actually gets you somewhere.

So what is it, you ask?

High-Intensity Interval Training, or Hiit, involves intense bursts of activity followed by low-intensity recovery periods. The list of benefits is as long as the Great Wall of China, but there are some that you can’t afford to miss.

Let’s take a look at 5 reasons you should be incorporating HIIT into your workouts TODAY.

The 5 Reasons Why High Intensity Interval Training is So Damn Effective

Time Efficiency

HIIT is the perfect solution if you want time-efficient results from your workout.

Just one 15-minute HIIT session has been proven to burn as many calories as an hour on the treadmill.

HIIT also improves your aerobic capacity up to 3 times faster than low-intensity.

If you want to spend less time working out and get better results, HIIT is the answer.

Burn Calories AFTER You Finish Your Workout

As you work out, HIIT puts your heart into overdrive. Your heart cannot deliver enough Oxygen to your muscles, and it puts it into debt for oxygen.

This triggers the recovery cycle of your body, burning fat and calories up to 24 hours after you finish your workout. Low-intensity training does not achieve this, only burning calories while you work out.

“The so-called “afterburn effect” is more officially known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption or simply, EPOC. And it isn’t new in the world of fitness. Several studies suggest there’s a strong correlation between the number of calories burned post exercise and the activity’s intensity.”

Reference: greatist.com – How to Keep Burning Calories When Your Workout Is Over

No Equipment Needed

HIIT workouts don’t require expensive gear or gym memberships. As they utilize the weight of your body to create resistance, all you need is some open space!

As long as your heart rate is pushed up, it doesn’t matter how you get it done. Burpees, high knee jumps, and jumping squats are all perfect examples, and none of them require equipment.

Lose Fat, Not Muscle

Studies have proven the muscle-wasting properties of low-intensity cardio. HIIT, on the other hand, uses your body as weight training to build muscle, while effectively shredding your body fat!

Take a look at any practitioner of HIIT and you’ll see the truth of this. Why do you think sprinters like Usain Bolt are THAT shredded?

Lower Your Heart Rate And Blood Pressure

Not only does HIIT increase your fitness, but also your general health.

Extensive research has proved HIIT to be effective in raising the heart and blood pressure of overweight and obese individuals; significantly lowering the risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest.

Tune and Boost Your Metabolism

One of the main reasons your body continues to burn calories after a HIIT is that it boosts your metabolism. Studies have conclusively found that your metabolic rate is increased for hours after you finish exercising.

During this process, your body is encouraged to shift its energy source away from carbs to help you shed unwanted fat.

Improve Oxygen Consumption

Aerobic fitness is the traditional method for increasing the ability of your muscles to use oxygen (oxygen consumption).

Yet, HIIT has been proven to achieve the same results in a shorter amount of time.

Oxygen consumption is one of the main factors in your fitness level; so an improved consumption means you can go harder, faster and longer during your workouts and enjoy a higher level of fitness.

Final Words – HIIT is The *HIT

If High Intensity Interval Training isn’t part of your fitness schedule, you might want to think again. These are 5 of HIIT’s whole horde of benefits; many of which are still being uncovered.

HIIT is a time-efficient, supercharged form of workout that brings you results both DURING and AFTER your exercise.

It can be incredibly effective when incorporated into any fitness regime. If you like the sound of fat loss, time-efficient results, improved health, and greater physical ability, you won’t find much better than HIIT.

Other Helpful Resources

• hometraininghero.com – Cardio Workouts And Exercises – The Definite Guide

• draxe.com – HIIT Workouts Beat Conventional Cardio + 3 Plans

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