What are HIIT Workouts?

November 16, 2024 - By Sara Vin

In the fitness world, there are quite a few different styles of training or exercise. Many of these fitness styles have been proven to be successful and beneficial to those looking to lose weight and get fit. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) has been an extremely popular trend in the fitness world for about a decade. HIITs are considered to be one of the top fitness trends for getting into shape and losing weight. A common question I get in the It’s My Time Now Health Transformation program, is what are HIIT workouts?

What are HIIT Workouts?

High-intensity interval training or HIIT actually has several other names which you may be familiar with. In its earlier phase it was called sprint interval training or SIT, it was also known as high-intensity intermittent exercise or HIIE.

A HIIT is similar to tabata training as both are an intense exercise type of training with a work to rest ratio to maximize fat loss. Both focus on putting forth a maximum effort in short bursts followed by a predetermined rest period before the next burst. All of these burn more calories than a steady state workout, although they both have a place in an exercise program.

Whatever you call it, HIIT is a type of interval training, that has been proven to be extremely beneficial to those looking to lose weight and get fit.

In HIIT, you alternate short periods of highly intense cardio exercise with short recovery periods until you can no longer go on because you are too exhausted. HIIT is great for people of all fitness levels because there is no general HIIT session duration, meaning you can do HIIT for as long as you can.

Another great benefit to a HIIT session rarely goes past 30 minutes, which means it is hard to give yourself an excuse to not do it. With the quick, intense bursts of exercise and short recovery periods in HIIT, your heart rate goes up and promotes more fat burning than steady-state or typical aerobic exercises.

Benefits of HIIT Workouts

HIIT Increases Your Metabolism

Yes, your heart race increases during a HIIT workout, but did you know that a HIIT workout actually increases your metabolism for up to 2 days after your workout is complete? That’s right. You can finish your exercise and then head to work and still be burning fat!

It’s a Quick Workout

I love that you can fit an entire workout into 30 minutes or less. This is great because HIIT workouts for beginners are able to be completed quickly, which is great for those that are new to working out and not yet in love with exercising. Additionally, HIIT workouts can easily fit into your schedule, which is great for busy people.

No Gym Needed

You don’t need to sign up for an expensive gym membership to get a successful HIIT workout. As a matter of fact, you don’t actually need any equipment at all to complete a HIIT workout for beginners, although some household fitness equipment can be very beneficial.

Getting Started with HIIT Workouts

HIIT exercises are also known to improve your conditioning, your athletic abilities, plus and many people who use HIIT workouts find very good success with weight loss. There is one catch though, you need to be motivated to do this.

When you are ready to start a HIIT training program, you need to be prepared to push yourself to your limits each and every time you exercise. A truly successful HIIT program requires you to put out 100% during the high intensity periods of your workout.

I know that HIIT workouts can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be. You don’t need to be someone who is extremely fit and someone who already works out all the time. HIIT workouts for beginners are a thing and they can help you.

HIIT workouts for beginners can easily be done at home, in your own time. Do you own a treadmill? If you said yes, then a HIIT treadmill workout for beginners is a great place to start.