Speed up fat loss – HIIT it!

Life Fit boot camp

Four minutes of HIIT body-weight exercises can be as effective as a 30-minute bike ride. According to health and fitness researchers, you can get the same workout benefits as a 30minute bike ride if you perform squats, pull-ups, push-ups, chinups or lunges for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat, alternating for four minutes. So, HIIT it! That is, add some highintensity interval training (HIIT) to your weekly workout routine for maximum results.

THE SUPER intense six-set obstacle course challenge truly tested the fitness level of The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Lifers on Saturday morning at Season Two’s eighth event at the Life Fit Training Centre in St Andrew.

Sled push, 60 battle rope, agility ladder, 10 box jump, monkey bar and 15 burpees with push-ups were more than enough for the six two-member teams to prove if they were indeed Tuff Enuff. And drill sergeant Robert ‘Astro’ Whyte from the Sweet Energy Fitness Club did not ease up, as he pushed each person to their limit.

In the end, the Don’t Quit team came out as the winner; Linstead team placed second; Warriors third; Foska was fourth; Jordan in fifth place and Dun Dem dropped out.

But none of the 12 challengers went home empty-handed, as everyone got a prize for taking on arguably the most intense challenge of the season.

They earned prizes such as gift bags from Shavuot International; gift baskets from sponsor Chas E. Ramson; gift baskets from GraceKennedy; one-month membership with Sweet Energy Fitness Club; one-month membership with Life Fit Training Centre; one monthmembership with TrainFit Club; Fit 4 Life gift bags, T-shirts and water bottles.

Before the challenge, fitness guru Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn ran an extreme boot camp, with tyre flip, sled push, battle rope, box jump, agility ladder, sandbag twist, cycle, weights, and abs and leg workouts – a complete upper and lower body session.

Personal trainers LeVaughn Flynn, Rushen Thomas, and Marvin Gordon worked the complete circuit with Fit 4 Lifers, ensuring that everyone was performing the workouts properly.

Everyone enjoyed power shakes from sponsor Chas E. Ramson made with Foska Oats and Blue Diamond Almond Milk, as well as delicious treats from partner GraceKennedy’s Caribbean Choice; a variety of natural teas from Shavuot International; refreshing beverages from Grace Aloe and Catherine’s Peak water.

Sponsor Medical Associates gave free medical checks to ensure everyone was fit and ready.

This Saturday, August 18, The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life team joins the Body By Kurt team at 6:30 a.m. at the Oasis on the Oxford, 11 Oxford Road, New Kingston, for the ninth event in the Season 2 Tuff Enuff Challenge.

Everyone is invited to come out to each of the Saturday morning boot camps, free of cost, as the Fit 4 Life team journeys with Jamaica to a healthy, fitter life.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and The Gleaner’s website to see where we will be next – #fit4lifeja.

Each week – starting at 6:30 a.m. – will feature boot camp style workouts, lifestyle and fitness tips, challenges to win great prizes, free medical checks from sponsor Medical Associates; and demonstrations and samplings from sponsors and partners.

Only four weeks to go, as the Fit 4 Life team conditions and prepares participants to take the ultimate Tuff Enuff Challenge – 10 intense obstacle courses arranged in three supersets – on Saturday, September 8.

The question is: are you Tuff Enuff? Let’s find out.

For more details or to enter the challenge, email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

LIONEL ROOKWOOD/PHOTOGRAPHER How high can you jump? Personal trainer Robert ‘Astro’ Whyte (right) wanted to find out at last Saturday’s Gleaner Fit 4 Life Tuff Enuff boot camp held at Life Fit Training Centre. Box jump is a highintensity exercise that can be incorporated into high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

ROOKWOOD/PHOTOGRAPHER LIONEL LEFT: Life Fit Training Centre’s personal trainer Rushen Thomas taking Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life participants through the boot camp circuit.

Ruth Howard made an easy task of the monkey bar.

Champs, the Don’t Quit team, work together on the sled push, one part of the six-set obstacle course challenge. Sweet Energy’s fitness coach Robert ‘Astro’ Whyte (left) played the role of drill sergeant.

The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life fitness coach Marvin Gordon instructing participants how to properly use weights.

Fit 4 Life participants getting their health and fitness handouts and complimentary newspaper from The Gleaner booth.

The Foska team was fourth in the six-set obstacle course challenge. Presenting the prizes are Jordon Harris (second right), procurement manager for Shavuot International; and Terry Wilson (right), Gleaner’s assistant manager, business development and marketing.

Fit 4 Lifers stretching it out with personal trainer Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.

Fit 4 Life partner Shavuot International had a variety of natural teas for participants to sample.

The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life sponsor Chas E. Ramson serving up power shakes made with Foska Oats and Blue Diamond Almond Milk.

Sampling goodies from GraceKennedy’s Caribbean Choice.