High Intensity Interval Training – Explained

This morning I woke up early to 2 cups of coffee and some blog posts to read.

It is, if you can't move without it. — It is, if you can’t move without it.

Went to the gym for a treadmill run and some swimming.

Today’s treadmill workout was a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) run.

HIIT is by far the hardest running workout I have ever done, however, it works. If you want to get faster/stronger/run longer (even at a slower pace), this is the workout for you.

I have a love/hate relationship with HIIT because on the one side it is a tough workout, but on the other side the sense of accomplishment I get when I’m done and my legs are shaking and I’m about to faint, is unbeatable. I know I sound like a masochist. But like I said, it works. And later down the road, when a pace that seemed impossible to hold for more than 30 seconds (or to even get there!) you can suddenly keep for 10 minutes, then you know you did something right. Tough work pays off.

WHAT IS HIIT?

High Intensity Interval Training is a type of workout (in this case running, but can be any other type of aerobic activity) that consists of short bouts of faster running, with rest periods in between each bout.

BENEFITS OF HIIT:

Run faster
Get stronger
Build aerobic fitness
Increase mental focus for hard running
Very efficient workout in a shorter amount of time
Teach your body how to run and hold different paces

This too:

HOW TO DO A HIIT WORKOUT:

Keeping in mind the basics of short bouts of faster running with rest periods in between, you can basically do it any way you want.

I do 4 different types of HIIT, alternating one HIIT workout each week (so it takes me 4 weeks to do all 4 types).

Always start with a warm up, I do 5 minutes walking and 10 minutes light running.

Do these workouts so you can run as fast her:

WHEN TO DO A HIIT WORKOUT:

Because High Intensity Interval Training is hard on your body, once a week is more than enough for this type of workout. I usually do HIIT after a rest day, so my legs are as recovered as possible.