Wellness

Why Try a HIIT Workout? 4 Reasons to Consider

Apr 21 • 2016

High-intensity interval workouts, or HIIT workouts, are great for burning fat in a short amount of time. HIIT workouts include short bursts of intense activity mixed with periods of rest or less strenuous exercise. This mix of intensity and rest increases the heart rate and burns fat faster, but this is just one reason to try HIIT workouts. If you’re thinking of adding this kind of routine to your personal fitness regimen, check out this list of four more benefits:

Time-Conscious
Because of how HIIT workouts are set up, you can burn more calories in less time than with many other traditional workouts. Effective HIIT workouts can be done on your lunch break, in between running errands, or as a quick way to prepare for an upcoming event. The best part? They can last only 10-15 minutes while still giving you results. In fact, some studies have shown short HIIT workouts are more beneficial than an hour on the treadmill.

Convenience
HIIT is a great option for people who don’t want to pay for a gym membership or invest in a variety of exercise equipment. You can easily complete these workouts without weights or machines. Instead, exercises like lunges, squats, burpees, and other plyometric options will get your heart rate up and have your muscles working their hardest. Without the need for equipment, you can do these exercises at home, at the park with your family, or anywhere else you choose.

Increased Metabolism
Your metabolism will see a major boost throughout the entire day after completing a HIIT workout. This is because during this kind of exercise routine, your body uses more oxygen than when you’re working out at a steady rate. That means your body continues to burn calories even after the workout is complete.

Loss of Fat
The type of exercise determines whether you burn more fat or carbohydrates. HIIT workouts have been shown to provide more fat loss than working out at a steady pace for a longer amount of time. The intense effort your body puts in leads to a more powerful repair cycle, which burns more fat during and after the workout.

Have you tried HIIT workouts before? Let us know your favorite exercises in the comments below, or learn more about Baptist’s weight loss services.