HIT THE H.I.I.T

For fitness enthusiasts, working out in the cold weather may feel like a chore. Your energy levels are down, and you feel sleepy. To make it worse, your metabolism slows down — meaning it’s easier for you to gain some extra pounds. If you are wondering how do you deal with this conundrum, then you should try HIIT (high intensity interval training). HIIT, a type of cardiovascular workout, emphasises on reducing fat, increasing metabolism and burning calories. The workout alternates between short bursts of high-intensity workout followed with a slightly more extended rest period. However, during the rest period, you don’t stop; you continue with your exercise but with decreased intensity. The workout lasts up to 35-40 minutes, making it ideal for people who have busy schedules. Over the years, its popularity has increased worldwide, with Hollywood celebrities such as Hugh Jackman, Taylor Swift and Max Greenfield, vouching for it. According to a recent study, 90 minutes of HIIT training is equivalent to four to five hours of endurance training. However, experts suggest that one should exercise caution while going for it as it can cause physical exhaustion, if one is not used to it. Opt for HIIT only thrice a week, if you don’t want your muscle size to reduce.

BURN FAT FASTER

HIIT is an excellent way to burn that fat. It boosts your metabolism by reducing any inflammation in the body. It improves the body’s ability to use energy. And this means that your body burns fat and calories at a faster rate.

IMPROVE YOUR ENDURANCE, SPEED AND PERFORMANCE

It is the only workout that engages both your aerobic and anaerobic systems in the body. Anaerobic means that your body’s demand for oxygen exceeds body’s supply of oxygen. HIIT relies on energy sources that are stored in muscles and is not dependent on oxygen (aerobic).

ENSURE EFFICIENCY

One session of HIIT workout only takes 30 minutes. Twothree weeks of HIIT can improve your aerobic capacity as much as four to five weeks of endurance training.

REDUCE YOUR HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE

Because of its high intensity, HIIT is extremely useful in reducing heart rate and blood pressure, especially for people who are obese.

CREATE YOUR OWN WORKOUT

The idea of HIIT is to focus on the intensity of the workout, which means you are not limited to the gym and can do it anywhere. You can go for a hike or a run in the park, create combinations of exercises to ensure that you don’t get bored of doing the same workout again and again. (With inputs from fitness expert Jinnie Gogia Chugh)

HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) IS THE ONLY WORKOUT THAT ENGAGES BOTH YOUR AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC SYSTEMS IN THE BODY

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ THEHUGHJACKMAN PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ ZACEFRON PHOTO: ISTOCK Hugh Jackman during one of his HIIT sessions Zac Efron trying his hands at HIIT workout