What is HIIT training?
Did you think you had to go to the treadmill for hours to burn fat? It can actually be done in under 20 minutes! One of the main reasons why I do HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is that it gives me a stable blood sugar and it is easier to calculate/reduce insulin in relation to the training sessions.
HIIT training is a form of interval training. This form of exercise is short-lived and more intense than traditional cardio. You will burn more fat over a longer period, up to 48 hours after the end of the session, as opposed to brisk walking on the treadmill where you only burn during the actual session.
Benefits of HIIT training
There are clearly many benefits to high-intensity training. Asking gives a completely different training effect than jogging or walking at a fast pace. When you sprint, it is the fast-twitch muscle fibers that you train, and in one sprint you activate the whole body; from calves, thighs and buttocks to core muscles, arms, back and shoulders. You also increase the muscle cross-section of the muscle, hence larger muscles with more elasticity and power.
Benefits:
- Increased combustion
- Increased production of growth hormones
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Increased endurance
- Improved strength
How is HIIT performed?
HIIT training can be done in many ways; both on the treadmill, bicycle, rowing machine, and on opposite slopes outside.
You start by warming up for five minutes, preferably more if you have not trained first, and have a slight incline on the treadmill. Then you should have 5-8 runs. It can look like this:
- Heating – 5 minutes
- Sprint – 1 minute
- Walk – 2 minutes
- Repeat until you have had 5-8 runs
