As the fitness industry discovers new, effective ways to manipulate metabolisms, change body chemistry, and increase performance, the successful trainers’ exercise prescription must keep up with this pioneering research. Fitness professionals are constantly gaining insights into how our bodies operate, and those teaching outdated methods must embrace this new research, or be left in the dust.
High intensity interval training (H.I.I.T.) is one of the more recent training regiments that has seen a large growth in popularity, thanks to public demand for time efficient, highly effective workouts that maximize fat loss while retaining muscle mass. H.I.T.T. flies in the face of traditional, “steady state” cardiovascular workouts, by incorporating short bursts (15 to 30 seconds) of maximal exertion with intervals of low intensity exercise. According to current research,
“H.I.I.T. has been shown to burn adipose tissue more effectively than low-intensity exercise—up to 50% more efficiently.”
For fitness professionals whose clients aim to do just that, jumping on the H.I.I.T. bandwagon is a strategic move. Many participants are results-oriented, and H.I.I.T. training offers the opportunity to show them the physical benefits of their hard work sooner than traditional cardiovascular exercise, thus motivating them to continue their training. Some studies, such as one conducted by Lavall University, suggest that H.I.I.T. training burns nine times more fat than traditional cardiovascular exercise.
While H.I.I.T. training can be an effective training tool, it is not for everybody, and some clients may need their training modified to remove the “high intensity” aspect of the workout and practice “interval training.” Speed is often associated with H.I.I.T., but there are alternatives to increase intensity without compromising the safety of the client. For instance, incorporating inclines, increased muscle resistance, plyometrics, increased range of motion exercises, and upper/lower body alternating exercises are all methods to increase training intensity without increasing speed.
Make sure to become acquainted with H.I.I.T. best practices before attempting to incorporate this training technique into your sessions to ensure that clients’ limitations are accommodated for. If properly integrated, high intensity interval training can be an effective tool to motivate results-driven participants and aid in client retention and acquisition.
CLASSES AT CALIFORNIA MANIA:
TABATA BOOT CAMP with Mindy Mylrea
Thursday March 29, 9:00am-5:00pm Precon
BOSU® HIIT EXTREME with Keli Roberts
Friday 7:30-9am, FR1B
SCHWINN CYCLING®: HIIT IT with Jay Blahnik
Friday 11:45am-1:15pm, FR3I
HIIT TRAINING: SWEAT 2 WET with Jeff McMullen
Saturday 7:30-9am, SA1J
TABATA BOOTCAMP with Mindy Mylrea
Saturday 3:00pm-5:30pm, SA5A
HIIT STEP TRAINING-NEXT STEP GENERATION STEPPING with Amanda Scales
Saturday 4-5:30pm, SA5B
SCWHINN CYCLING®: HIIT IT with Helen Vanderburg
Sunday 8:45-10:15, SU2I
CLASSES AT FLORIDA MANIA:
TABATA BOOT CAMP with Mindy Mylrea
Thursday May 3, 9:00am-5:00pm Precon
BOSU® HIIT EXTREME with Keli Roberts
Friday 4:00pm - 5:30pm, FR5E
SCHWINN CYCLING®: HIIT IT with Jay Blahnik
Friday 11:45pm - 1:15pm, FR3M
TABATA BOOTCAMP with Mindy Mylrea
Saturday 4:00pm - 5:30pm, SA5A
SCWHINN CYCLING®: HIIT IT with Helen Vanderburg
Sunday 8:45am - 10:15am, SU2M