The benefits of exercise are numerous and well-known. Apart from losing weight, exercise also helps us stay healthy and strengthens our immune systems.
High-Intensity Interval Training
AS experts strive to find new ways of keeping our bodies fit, many forms of exercise have become popular, and the most recent one is the HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts. These workouts do not need as much time and equipment as other forms of exercise but are just as effective.
Studies have confirmed that HIIT can manage sugar levels and lower blood pressure. It also helps with weight loss and the prevention of diseases like type 2 diabetes. Another recent study showed that HIIT is even more beneficial to your heart than aerobic exercises because it helps your cardio-metabolic health and can be done in just a few minutes.
HIIT exercises comprise hard work and short rests and are composed of 5 primary variables that can change an individual’s exercise routine. Coach Mag says that the first two variables are workout and rest routine. It says that workout periods should be longer and rests shorter, and this effectively increases endurance. Shorter, more intensive workouts, on the other hand, increase power.
The following variable is intensity. It is essential to keep a stable amount of effort throughout the exercises instead of going all out at first and then being unable to sustain it. The next one is the type of rest. It could vary from pedaling slowly on the exercise bike, making an active-active recovery, or stopping altogether.
Finally, is the volume of the exercise. Again, it can vary from the lowest volume and elevate to as hard as possible.
A new form of HIIT
A recent review published in The Journal of Physiology implies that a new form of HIIT called low-volume HIIT has numerous benefits to cardio-metabolic health. The exercise is similar to HIIT but with targeted improvements towards cardio-respiratory fitness. In addition, ScienceAlert reports that this form of workout is better than aerobics and could also help manage blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and improve cardiac function.
