The benefits of HIIT training
In this weeks blog we are going to talk about the benefits of HIIT Training and why it works well alongside other forms of training and more so team sports.
What is HIIT?
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) generally combines short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. The short bouts of intense exercise can range from anywhere between 6 seconds to 10 minutes depending on the specific activity being performed within the HIIT workout. With the MegaBox circuit running on a 30 second work to 30 second rest ratio for its 42 minute duration, it is a very effective and challenging HIIT workout that incorporates both boxing and a variety of resistance exercises!!
Why should you perform HIIT?
Improved performance
It is well suited to improving sports performance, particular field and court based sports. Because of the intense short bursts of exercise coupled with short periods of low intensity recovery or rest, HIIT training provides a great training method that transfers effectively to sports performance where continuous changes in intensity occur frequently. Opting for HIIT style training over lower intensity continuous exercise will be far more beneficial for the specific demands of sports such as rugby, football, netball, hockey, tennis... to name but a few! However, this does not exclude benefits to performance in other less similar sports and in everyday activities, as consistent HIIT training will improve overall cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance.
It can help you lose body fat
Due to the intensity of the workout, HIIT can elevate your metabolism for hours after exercise. This results in additional calories being burned even after you have finished exercising. High-intensity intervals can produce similar fat loss to traditional endurance exercise, even with a much smaller time commitment and can also reduce unhealthy visceral fat, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
You can improve strength and build muscle using HIIT
If you are not very active, you may build some strength and muscle by performing traditional HIIT, however, the added resistance training elements within the MegaBox circuit provides the movements and stimulus needed in order to gain strength and build muscle using the HIIT method even if you are a more well trained individual!
HIIT is a very time efficient method of exercising
HIIT may help you burn more calories than traditional exercise, or burn the same amount of calories in a much shorter amount of time due to the higher intensity of exercise reached during a session. This means you don't have to waste hours and hours on a treadmill or exercise bike for the same results that you could achieve in a 45 minute HIIT workout… not to mention it's going to be much more varied and enjoyable, especially if that HIIT session is at MegaBox!
