How Does HIIT Compare To Regular Cardiovascular Exercise?

By Howe Russ


High intensity interval training is undoubtedly one of the most talked about weight loss tips of the 21st century. But if you are unsure why so many gym lovers are jumping on board the HIIT train, you're about to find out the main reasons.

Today you will discover the science behind HIIT and the reason it has become such a practised method in gyms around the world over the last few years.

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.

HIIT was initially discovered almost by accident, when researchers were trying to discover if exercise could help to prevent our metabolism from lowering as we got older. They noticed that the individuals who had been working at a higher level of intensity in the gym had the far greater weight loss results. Back in 1985 this was big news, but it wasn't until five years later that these results were confirmed in a much more in depth study.

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. []

By increasing the production of HADH after each workout had finished, the body is able to switch to using fat for fuel over the course of the next 12-14 hours.

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.

While most new concepts and fads fall to pieces when the real scientific data is made available, HIIT just keeps on building a stronger case. Since these breakthrough reports were conducted there have been many further studies showing the fat loss benefits to a solid and consistent HIIT plan.

High intensity interval training is now a fitness principle which is adopted by millions of gym enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you are a personal trainer, a bodybuilder, an athlete or just somebody who is looking to find effective weight loss tips which work quickly, HIIT is here to stay.




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