High-intensity interval training is a convenient, fast, and highly effective way to reach your fitness goals!
D
espite its intimidating name, many people find High-Intensity Interval Training much more fun than exercising at a low-moderate intensity.
HIIT workouts are also convenient, fast, and a highly effective way to reach your fitness goals. There are many ways to do a HIIT workout, but it will always have the same basic format; short periods of maximum effort separated by rest periods that always seem to be over way too soon.
If you could burn fat, gain strength, and improve your aerobic capacity in a fraction of the time required of more moderate-intensity workouts AND have more fun - why wouldn’t you?
Well, as with anything, HIIT workouts can go a little stale, especially if you've been doing the same exercises for a while.
Not only does changing things up make your training more exciting and enjoyable, but varying your workouts also has many benefits for your body and brain. From breaking through a weight loss plateau to sharpening your mind and boosting your memory; the benefits of HIIT are worth the effort!
Here are 6 ways to make HIIT workouts even more fun and effective.
1
Use TRX
TRX stands for Total-body Resistance eXercise and is a suspension training system with origins in the military. Sounds fun already, right? TRX offers exercise variations to suit people of all ages and fitness levels, and it’s a great piece of equipment that can be used to train your whole body. TRX can be used at home and is available for use in most gyms. There are countless ways to incorporate TRX into your HIIT workouts; here’s one killer example.
2
Use Kettlebells
If your idea of a fun workout is one that is simple, yet intense, then kettlebells may be just what your next HIIT workout needs. Although a kettlebell is essentially a cannonball with a handle, it's a surprisingly versatile piece of equipment. As they are relatively compact and portable, you can take your kettlebells your local park for a fun, full-body cardio and functional strength workout.
Not only can battle ropes boost your mood by helping you release some frustration, but they also melt away body fat.
3
Use Battle Ropes
Nothing says fun like reaching your max heart rate in a matter of seconds by slamming long, heavy ropes into the ground. Not only can battle ropes boost your mood by helping you release some frustration, but they also melt away body fat. They're perfect for an upper-body finisher, but also great as a stand-alone workout if you're short on time.
4
Join a Spin Class
Joining in on a spin class is a super fun and social way to get a challenging and empowering HIIT workout. Cycling is not only fantastic for building strength in your legs, glutes and core, but it's also great for your endurance and cardiovascular fitness. More to the point, riding a bike is fun. So when the benefits of the bike are combined with the benefits of HIIT, thumping music and a positive social environment; spin classes are a real winner.
5
Bodyweight Only
Bodyweight HIIT workouts are awesome because they are straightforward, effective and totally free. Lifting, moving and holding your bodyweight is the epitome of functional fitness, and the convenience of doing workouts with no equipment means you can do it anywhere, anytime. You can do it in your living room with your favourite tunes blaring, or you can take it outside to a park or a beach. Grab a friend or the whole crew for a fast, fun and free fitness frenzy.
BCAAs are the best intra-workout supplement for HIIT
6
Create Your Own
Perhaps the most fun you can have when it comes to HIIT is to create your own workouts. All you need is a Tabata timer app, then you set your intervals and choose your favourite moves. Imagine that; a HIIT workout made up of all your favourite exercises? Now, that would be fun!
Doing what you find fun is the key to turning your fitness regime into lifestyle habits. However, what you find fun can change over time, so it's a great idea to continually seek out new skills to learn, or join exciting new fitness classes to keep you feeling motivated and enthusiastic.
Did you know that BCAAs are the best intra-workout supplement for HIIT? Although it’s fun, HIIT can also be really tough on your body. Drinking Tropeaka Tone BCAA+ throughout your HIIT workout will prevent protein breakdown and keep your energy high.
Share this with your fitness-focused friends to inspire some discussion and maybe come up with even more fun ways to reap the benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training.
