High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an exercise strategy in which you alternate between periods of intense, anaerobic exercise and less intense recovery periods. You can customize your HIIT workout to your fitness level and goals. Whether you recently joined a gym or are ramping up home workouts, consider these benefits to high-intensity interval training.

What Are the Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training? 

1. Efficient & Effective Exercise

HIIT is ideal for those with busy schedules or those who get bored or discouraged by lengthy workouts. By doing HIIT, you might burn the same calories as you would in another exercise, but in much less time (sometimes as little as thirty minutes).

Research shows that certain HIIT exercises enable you to burn up to 30% more calories than during other forms of exercise. With extra free time and energy, you can get to those activities you usually have to skip.

2. No Equipment Needed

While you might prefer going to the gym for HIIT workouts, many routines are equipment free and easily done at home. High knees, fast feet, and burpees get your heart pumping, whereas using heavy equipment like dumbbells might slow you down.

Participating in HIIT will allow you to enjoy the central benefit of an anaerobic exercise: to strengthen your heart by pushing it to the maximum (and burn calories while you’re at it).

3. Improve Metabolism 

HIIT is proven to increase your body’s output of human growth hormone (HGH) for around 24 hours after you complete a workout. The human growth hormone is produced by your pituitary gland and plays an important role in cell regeneration and production, repairing muscle tissue after injury or exercise, and boosting your metabolism.

Your metabolism consists of chemical reactions that break down the energy that fuels you. A boost to your metabolism will increase the rate at which you burn calories. 

If you’re looking to get fitter faster, head to Life & Elite Fitness in Snohomish, WA. This gym provides a range of resources including personal or small-group training sessions as well as online training courses. They also offer various activities— including body TRX training, high-intensity interval training, mixed martial arts, and more. They’ll work with you to create a realistic and rewarding fitness plan. Call (206) 450-0964 to get excited about your next workout. Read more about their training options online.