3 Reasons Why High Intensity Interval Training Works
High Intensity Interval Training (or HIIT for short) has been scientifically proven to have some pretty amazing benefits for women. In fact, Irene Lewis-McCormick’s book, the HIIT Advantage, details the research that has shown how HIIT is superior to other forms of cardiovascular training like Steady-State Cardio (like running on a treadmill for an hour).
The popularity of HIIT has increased immensely in the last few years, mainly because of this form of exercise’s ability to burn calories and encourage weight loss. HIIT features shorter more intense periods of exertion interspersed with resting recovery. So you might sprint on a treadmill ALL OUT for 1 minute followed by base pace walking for 30 seconds.
Why is HIIT so GREAT?
BURN MORE CALORIES FOR LONGER
One of the major benefits of HIIT workouts like the ones you will find at Orangetheory Fitness in Egalia is the fact that HIIT encourages your body to burn calories after a workout whilst you recover. This is called post exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) or what we at Orangetheory Fitness like to call the AFTERBURN. Depending on how hard you push yourself in the session, you will continue to burn calories as your body recovers for up to 36 hours.
HIIT BURNS FAT
Recent research published in the Sports Medicine Open revealed that your body is more likely to burn FAT as opposed to CARBS when you are doing HIIT. This data is based on a randomized trial of women and the results are pretty conclusive. What this means for most ladies is that HIIT represents the best way to burn fat which is why a lot of experts recommend it for trimming down belly fat.
INCREASED MUSCLE TONE
Have you ever compared a long distance runner and a short distance sprinter? HIIT helps you increase strength and muscle tone, this does not only help you maintain a healthy body for your day to day activities, but also helps improve the shape of your body and figure.