High intensity interval training (HIIT) is the new buzz word in fitness. But what is HIIT training all about and does it really work?
The whole idea of HIIT training is to work at a super high intensity for a short burst, have a recovery time and then burst again. Many people use it for running where you sprint for a short distance, walk for the same distance and repeat.
The same idea can be used for weight training. Moving between one to three exercises and doing one set of each as quickly as possible, becomes the sprint. Then taking a short break and going again. Much of Crossfit training is based around this.
I am a huge fan of functional HIIT training. My training philosophy is to use as many muscles as possible in each exercise. I feel the more muscles you can use in an exercise the better use of your time the workout is.
Think of it this way... If you are doing a chest press on machine you are sitting down so you are using your chest, some shoulders and a little triceps. Now when you do a pushup you use all those muscles plus you use your entire core along with you legs because you have to support yourself while you do the movement. In that way you get much more work during the same time spent working.
Try exercises like thrusters, pushups, chin-ups, squats and lunges. They give you more bang for your time spent working out, which means you get more fit in less time. Not a bad deal at all!
Devin Sherrington is seven time Best Personal Fitness Trainer Halifax award winner, and owner the award winning fitness studio 360fit in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He lives in Fletchers Lake with his girlfriend Lauren and children Reign and Journey.
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