High intensity interval training or HIIT; exactly what it says on the tin. Exercising at a high intensity for short bursts of time. A relatively novel, but super-efficient, concept which research suggests can give you all the benefits of strength training and running combined; in half the time. Sounds too good to be true, well believe it because it is true!
The biggest benefit HIIT seems to provide is its positive effect on heart health. People with cardiac conditions such as atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular disease will be happy to hear that the risk of adverse cardiac events is far lower when using HIIT principles than regular cardio such as a 60-minute run; all whilst providing the same benefits (and more)!
Another benefit HIIT has to offer is the positive effect it will have on your VO2 Max. This is an endurance measure which depicts the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use ie. It tells us how fit you are. Personal Health uses fitness measures, such as your VO2 Max, in order to keep track of your improving endurance. The higher this number is, the better your heart can pump blood, the longer it takes you to get out of breath, and the farther and faster you’re able to bike or run or swim.
HIIT is also a fantastic way to lose fat. It uses similar mechanisms of fat loss to traditional cardio, with the additional fat loss benefits that having more muscle mass has to offer. The more lean muscle you have on your body, the faster your metabolism becomes, the easier it is to burn fat. So, a way of packing on muscle + improving cardiac health + fat loss = one hell of a fitness package; all for the price of a 20-30 minute workout.
At Personal Health, we use these principles in order to keep you safe and get you healthy in the most scientifically efficient way possible. To book an exercise session with us on our website or call 01 496 4002.
