If you are one of the many people who have recently discovered high intensity interval training as an exercise strategy, you may be wondering how it compares to regular cardiovascular exercise as far as fat burning goes. While HIIT has become one of the most effective weight loss tips of the 21st century so far, very few exercise enthusiasts know much about it.
You'll discover the facts behind this training style today.
Although it has only recently crossed over in to mainstream society, HIIT has been used for nearly three decades. It was previously widely believed that cardiovascular activity performed over a long distance at a steady pace was better for both endurance and fat loss. However, recent studies have blown these old theories out of the water.
To go back to the roots of HIIT, you need to look at the two studies which brought it into the public eye. The first of which dates all the way back to 1985. Initially designed to test if exercises helped speed the metabolism, scientists noticed that most of the weight loss results were from individuals working harder in the gym. A further study confirmed this, with three weekly HIIT sessions outperforming five regular cardio workouts for fat loss, despite those workouts being twice as long.
From there, interest in this subject was high and research was being carried out almost every single year. Many athletes adopted it to their own training regime. Sprinters and swimmers were particular fans at this point.
A Canadian study in 2001 then produced the most thorough research on the subject to date. It detailed that a group of exercises not only lost more body fat while working out for less time and less often, they also increased the body's fat burning enzyme HADH. This finding was initially quite shocking, because HIIT is known to use carbohydrates as the source of fuel in the gym, not fat. This increase in HADH occurred because high intensity activity actually causes the body to switch to using fat for fuel in the period following a workout. Furthermore, this period can last a shocking 14 hours in length. []
That's right, your body burns calories at an accelerated rate for fourteen hours after finishing a HIIT session, most of which will be fat!
Further research in the same study then went on to confirm that HIIT prevented the breakdown of lean muscle tissue in a way that was far superior to regular cardiovascular activity, while also burning off six times the amount of fat per calorie as it's steady state cousin. That's correct - one calorie burned off during a high intensity workout is worth six times the fat compared to one burned off during a low to moderate session.
These startling results have since been backed up by many further studies. In fact, over the last few years this training method has crept it's way into many mainstream gyms around the world and it now appears to have earned it's place among proven fitness techniques.
Like all new fitness concepts, high intensity interval training has recently made it's appearance in the mainstream. This can lead to some labeling it as a passing fad but, having seen the mounting evidence behind it's effectiveness, you now realize that HIIT can become one of the most productive weight loss tips for those who are prepared to learn a little bit about it before jumping in.
You'll discover the facts behind this training style today.
Although it has only recently crossed over in to mainstream society, HIIT has been used for nearly three decades. It was previously widely believed that cardiovascular activity performed over a long distance at a steady pace was better for both endurance and fat loss. However, recent studies have blown these old theories out of the water.
To go back to the roots of HIIT, you need to look at the two studies which brought it into the public eye. The first of which dates all the way back to 1985. Initially designed to test if exercises helped speed the metabolism, scientists noticed that most of the weight loss results were from individuals working harder in the gym. A further study confirmed this, with three weekly HIIT sessions outperforming five regular cardio workouts for fat loss, despite those workouts being twice as long.
From there, interest in this subject was high and research was being carried out almost every single year. Many athletes adopted it to their own training regime. Sprinters and swimmers were particular fans at this point.
A Canadian study in 2001 then produced the most thorough research on the subject to date. It detailed that a group of exercises not only lost more body fat while working out for less time and less often, they also increased the body's fat burning enzyme HADH. This finding was initially quite shocking, because HIIT is known to use carbohydrates as the source of fuel in the gym, not fat. This increase in HADH occurred because high intensity activity actually causes the body to switch to using fat for fuel in the period following a workout. Furthermore, this period can last a shocking 14 hours in length. []
That's right, your body burns calories at an accelerated rate for fourteen hours after finishing a HIIT session, most of which will be fat!
Further research in the same study then went on to confirm that HIIT prevented the breakdown of lean muscle tissue in a way that was far superior to regular cardiovascular activity, while also burning off six times the amount of fat per calorie as it's steady state cousin. That's correct - one calorie burned off during a high intensity workout is worth six times the fat compared to one burned off during a low to moderate session.
These startling results have since been backed up by many further studies. In fact, over the last few years this training method has crept it's way into many mainstream gyms around the world and it now appears to have earned it's place among proven fitness techniques.
Like all new fitness concepts, high intensity interval training has recently made it's appearance in the mainstream. This can lead to some labeling it as a passing fad but, having seen the mounting evidence behind it's effectiveness, you now realize that HIIT can become one of the most productive weight loss tips for those who are prepared to learn a little bit about it before jumping in.
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Next Step: Get a complete guide on how to take high intensity interval training from fitness instructor Russ Howe PTI, as well as the 5 crucial weight loss tips to help you build a better body this year. Russ teaches millions daily via Youtube how to get in shape, why not join the club?
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