A new study looked at individuals who were measured on quantitative exercises and attempted to see the difference between High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and slow endurance exercises. HIIT (called “hit”) is becoming a trend among athletes – elite and amateur alike.
High Intensity Interval Training – hard but effective
HIIT means you max out on your exercise – say sprint for 20 yards…then jog for 20. Sprint for 20 yards…then jog for 20. High Intensity. Then continue this – on intervals. Fast – then slow.
The study showed that compared to those that either sprinted for the whole distance or jogged the whole distance, the HIIT group measured “better” cell recovery.
READ: Yet another medical study supporting exercising
It applies to any workout. If you are swimming, jam it for a lengths then coast for one…repeat. And yes, you CAN sweat under water. I like to cross train with swimming. It works different muscles than weight lifting.
Nordic Walking can be done the same. Now this is “just walking” at your pace, but go hard for 2 houses on your block….then normal pace for 1. Repeat as long as you can.
An upside of all this is that you are done in a shorter time. A downside is that it’s hard. But if you get your heart rate up, then cool down, your heart muscle grows and is better able to sustain higher demands later.
Carpe Diem! – Seize the day.