When it comes to training for a workout, most people turn to steady-state cardio and strength training. But interval training is a super effective way to improve your fitness—and it can be the secret weapon in your quest for the best shape of your life. Interval training (also known as HIIT) involves doing short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity activity. These periods alternate between high intensity and low intensity so that you're always working at an optimal effort level. This can help you maximize fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass, which will improve your overall health and fitness as well as give you better endurance during other workouts like yoga or weightlifting sessions.
It's good for fat loss
There are many benefits of HIIT, but perhaps the most significant one is that it can help you lose more fat than other forms of exercise.
For example, in one study comparing the effects of HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training on body weight and composition in overweight or obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, participants who performed high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) lost 5% more body weight than those who did continuous moderate-intensity aerobic training over an 8-month period. This was true even though both groups consumed similar amounts of calories per day.
The results were so dramatic that researchers concluded: "High-intensity interval training appears to be a viable alternative for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing body fat without compromising lean mass in middle age adults."
HIIT is great for muscle building
HIIT is a great way to build muscle. When you engage in HIIT, your heart rate increases and so does the amount of calories burned. This helps you burn fat while building lean muscle mass, which can lead to an increase in metabolism over time.
In addition to burning fat, HIIT also strengthens bones and improves mobility by increasing flexibility as well as improving balance and coordination.
HIIT workouts can be done at home without any special equipment or equipment needed at all!
You'll be more motivated to work out
HIIT workouts are fun, but they can also be incredibly effective. When you push yourself to the limit during a HIIT workout, you're more likely to feel like you've accomplished something. You'll be more motivated to do it again, and that's a very good thing!
You'll learn how far you can push yourself as well as which areas need improvement in order for your body to get faster results with less work. This is great news for those who want to lose weight or gain muscle mass quickly without spending hours at the gym every day (or even every week).
Your heart and lungs get a serious workout
HIIT is a great way to get your heart rate up. The intensity of the workout makes it easier for you to reach your target heart rate, which can help with weight loss and getting into better shape.
- HIIT can be used as a supplement to your regular workout routine. For example, if you're doing three days per week of steady-state cardio workouts at 60-70% of max effort (the amount where you can still carry on a conversation), then adding in one day per week of high-intensity interval training would increase the number of calories burned each week by about 20%.
- This type of exercise increases your testosterone levels--which is good news for both men and women! In addition, women who perform intense exercise tend to have higher bone density than those who don't engage in such activities regularly.
Do intervals, they're fun!
Interval training is a great way to get in shape, and it can be done anywhere. It's also fun--you can do intervals with friends if you have them! And if you don't? No problem: there are plenty of apps that will help you keep track of your progress.
Intervals improve both your heart rate and lung capacity, which means they're good for your health overall. If you're looking for an exercise that will make sure you keep working out regularly (and thus stay healthy), intervals are an excellent choice.
In addition to all those benefits we already mentioned above (improved bone density, metabolism boost), there's one more thing about interval training: it makes everything else easier! When we exercise our bodies become stronger so we can do things like lift heavier weights or run farther without getting tired as quickly as before--but those improvements only happen when we work out consistently over time; otherwise, they'll fade away quickly once we stop exercising altogether again.
Conclusion
HIIT is a great way to get in shape and stay healthy. It's a good way to burn some calories, but it also builds muscle and improves your heart health. If you're looking for something new in your workout routine, consider trying HIIT. You can do it anywhere with little equipment needed!
