As one of our most well-liked FloatFit classes, our high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are as popular as ever. HIIT training has been gaining popularity for some time and has now become one of the biggest fitness trends of recent years.
Health and wellbeing website, Healthline, explains that “HIIT is a broad term for workouts that involve short periods of intense exercise, alternated with recovery periods. One of the biggest advantages of HIIT is that you can get maximal health benefits in minimal time.”
Sounds like our kind of workout. But what’s involved and why do we love HIIT workouts so much? And more importantly, how can HIIT training benefit you?
1. It's efficient
Busy lives mean exercise or physical activity can often get ruled out through lack of time (or energy). But with HIIT, most workouts are usually 30 minutes or less. So despite your busy working day, HIIT sessions are as efficient as they are beneficial. Burning up a high amount of calories in a short space of time, you could even fit a workout into your lunch break!
2. You lose fat, not muscle
As well as burning up more calories, HIIT workouts are also proven to burn more fat. So instead of losing your hard-earned muscles (often a result of steady cardio workouts), weight training together with HIIT workout sessions help you to preserve muscle tone, while losing weight from fat stores instead.
3. It keeps your heart healthy
HIIT workouts can make your heart stronger and decrease your risk of both heart disease and high blood pressure. During interval training, it’s easier to push yourself when you know there’s a rest interval coming up. This process of training helps blood flow effectively throughout your entire body, keeping your heart healthy.
4. It boosts metabolism
According to Health Fitness Revolution, “High-intensity interval training helps you consume more oxygen than non-interval workout routines. The excess amount of oxygen consumed helps increase your rate of metabolism from about 90 minutes to 144 minutes after a session. The increased metabolism helps burn more calories at a faster rate.” Studies have also shown that HIIT workouts increase your metabolism post-exercise too - even more than jogging and resistance training.
5. It's challenging
HIIT sessions are designed to be a challenge and it means you’ll never get bored with your workouts. Whatever level you’re at, they’ll help you to constantly push yourself, taking you right out of your comfort zone for maximum, intense cardiovascular exercise.
If you’re already doing HIIT workouts as part of your exercise routine, why not take it one step further? FloatFit sessions are a group exercise class with HIIT and yoga style movements on water using the world’s first floating exercise mat - the AquaBase!
Are you up for the challenge? Find a class near you today and take your HIIT workouts to the next level.