HITT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
HITT (High-Intensity Interval Training) involves short burst intervals usually 20 – 90sec in length where you push yourself virtually to the max every set, have a short rest then go hard at it again. It can include cardio as well as weights. HITT is a tough, intense workout that has become popular for good reason. It’s great for changing body composition, increasing your metabolism & decreasing body fat. Basically, the harder you work, the higher your oxygen intake, therefore the more calories you burn!
If you are new to exercise, have injuries, don’t have great technique, have a condition such as diabetes or a heart condition then it’s important to have your HITT sessions assessed by an appropriately qualified professional to ensure they are safe & effective for you. Most people can do HITT sessions providing the session has been safely scaled to suit your fitness & experience.
And remember that all bodies need time to rest & recover, so it’s important to give your body a break from HITT workouts.
Steady State Cardio
Just as the same suggests, Steady State Cardio includes a cardio exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling, etc. at a pace that you can continually sustain for a longer period of time (30 – 60min). It’s the perfect workout for the days in-between your HITT sessions, giving your body time to recover as the workouts aren’t anywhere near as intense. Steady State Cardio improves your endurance which means you can work harder & last longer for your HITT workouts.
Whilst Steady State Cardio won’t increase your metabolism or burn calories as fast as HITT workouts. It’s still an important part of your fitness regime allowing your body to recover from more intense workouts.
However, if you do the same Steady State Cardio every day, your body will probably adapt. Over time your results will slow down, or even stop altogether. If you’re new to exercise it’s a great safe place to begin to improve your exercise endurance prior to tackling more intense workouts. If you’re just not into pushing yourself to the max, then Steady State Cardio is something you can safely do daily for health.
The takeaway here is that there isn’t just one workout or one solution.
It’s important in all exercise regimes to varying your workouts. Bodies tend to become injured when pushed too hard without recovery. And on the other hand, doing the same thing day in day out won’t get you great results either. But whatever you do is better than nothing, so give it a go! If you’re unsure where to start, send me a message and let’s see what we can work out for you.
Melinda from Train Like A Girl
