How Does Hiit Keep Burning Calories After A Guide To High Intensity Interval Training

High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, has become a popular form of exercise in recent years. Not only is it a great way to burn calories during the workout itself, but it also has a unique ability to keep burning calories long after the workout is over. In this article, we’ll explore how HIIT keeps burning calories after the workout and provide tips on how to incorporate it into your fitness routine.

Table of Contents

• What is HIIT?
• How Does HIIT Keep Burning Calories After?
• How to Incorporate HIIT into Your Fitness Routine
• Step-by-Step Guide to a HIIT Workout
• Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your HIIT Workout
• FAQs
• Pros and Cons of HIIT

What is HIIT?

HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. These intervals can vary in length and intensity, but the overall goal is to push yourself to your limit during the high-intensity intervals and then recover during the low-intensity intervals.

HIIT can be done with a variety of exercises, including running, cycling, and bodyweight exercises. The key is to choose exercises that allow you to push yourself to your limit during the high-intensity intervals.

How Does HIIT Keep Burning Calories After?

The unique ability of HIIT to keep burning calories after the workout is known as the “afterburn effect” or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). During a HIIT workout, your body uses more oxygen than it does during steady-state exercise. This increased oxygen consumption leads to an increase in your metabolic rate, which means you burn more calories even after the workout is over.

The afterburn effect can last for up to 24 hours after a HIIT workout, depending on the intensity and duration of the workout. This means that even after you’ve finished your workout, your body is still burning calories at a higher rate than it would be if you had done steady-state exercise.

How to Incorporate HIIT into Your Fitness Routine

If you’re interested in incorporating HIIT into your fitness routine, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Start slowly: If you’re new to HIIT, start with shorter intervals and lower intensities and gradually increase as your fitness level improves.
• Mix it up: Don’t do the same HIIT workout every time. Mix up the intervals, exercises, and intensities to keep your body guessing.
• Combine with other exercises: HIIT is a great addition to any fitness routine, but it shouldn’t be the only form of exercise you do. Incorporate it with other forms of exercise, such as strength training or steady-state cardio.

Step-by-Step Guide to a HIIT Workout

Here’s an example of a basic HIIT workout:

1. Warm up for 5-10 minutes with light cardio, such as jogging or jumping jacks.
2. Choose an exercise, such as sprinting or burpees, and perform it at maximum intensity for 20-30 seconds.
3. Rest for 10-20 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for 6-8 intervals.
5. Cool down for 5-10 minutes with light cardio and stretching.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your HIIT Workout

To get the most out of your HIIT workout, try these tips:

• Focus on form: Quality over quantity is key in HIIT. Make sure you’re performing the exercises correctly to prevent injury and get the most benefit.
• Use a timer: Timing your intervals and rest periods can help you stay on track and push yourself to your limit.
• Listen to your body: HIIT is intense, so make sure you’re listening to your body and taking breaks when needed.

FAQs

What are the benefits of HIIT?

HIIT has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass, and burn more calories than steady-state exercise.

How often should I do HIIT?

HIIT can be done 1-3 times per week, depending on your fitness level and goals.

Pros and Cons of HIIT

Pros

• Burns more calories than steady-state exercise
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Increases muscle mass
• Shorter workouts

Cons

• Can be intense and may not be suitable for everyone
• May increase risk of injury if not done correctly
• Can lead to overtraining if done too frequently

In conclusion, HIIT is a great way to burn calories during and after the workout. By incorporating HIIT into your fitness routine, you can improve your cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass, and burn more calories than steady-state exercise. Just remember to start slowly, mix it up, and listen to your body to get the most out of your HIIT workouts.