A fantastic way to get in shape for spring or summer is to try the exercise trend called HIIT. HIIT stands for “High-Intensity Interval Training,” and involves working out as hard as you can for a brief time. Then, you follow it up with another short, less intense, period of time. This is excellent for people who do not have a lot of time to spend exercising but want to be healthy and get in shape.

HIIT workouts are for people who want to try something new and challenging. This type of workout is a combination of several different exercises:

• Strength training
• Stretching
• Running
• Biking
• Swimming
• Cardiovascular exercise
• Jumping (Plyometrics)
• Yoga

HIIT is a high-intensity, functional strength training exercise, one that ups your intensity level and has maximum bursts of different exercises. Many fitness magazines and personal trainers recommend HIIT.  It is the most time-efficient way to build fitness in a short amount of time. The training burns fat and keeps your heart rate elevated. A high-intensity workout, such as this one, increases your need for oxygen, which makes your body work harder. It increases the amount of fat your body burns in a shorter period of time.

People of all ages can do HIIT. We lose strength as we age, and this is a wonderful way to preserve and build up more strength. According to the Wellness Movement Center, and lead researcher Walt Thompson of the Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, “High-intensity interval training made its first appearance on this list this year. Its appearance on the top spot on the list reflects how this form of exercise has taken the fitness community by storm in recent months.” Similar HIIT programs include CrossFit and P90X.

Everyone should check with their physician before starting any exercise program. It is always best to work into any exercise program, slowly and gradually. HITT also requires little to no equipment. You use your body weight, so it is more beneficial. If you would like to add weight you can purchase dumbbells. Other than the dumbbells, there is no additional equipment required.

The benefits of doing HIIT are:

• Quick and Easy- Most of these exercises can be done in 30 minutes or less. Who can’t spare 30 minutes to improve their health and well-being?
• Convenient- This type of exercise can be done anywhere. In your home. At the park, or even at the gym. You can also take classes that focus only on this type of exercise. If you are traveling, it can be done in your hotel room.
• Metabolism Increases- Your metabolism will increase for up to 48 hours after you have completed a HIIT routine. Who doesn’t want to burn calories long after they have finished an exercise?
• No Equipment- The program uses your body weight, so no equipment is required to complete these routines. By using your body weight, you can get the benefits of building muscle and keeping muscle. As we all know, muscle burns more calories than fat does.

When performing the exercises, make sure to warm up for 4-7 minutes, as this helps to loosen your muscles. If you do not warm up, you may risk injury to yourself. You can look at it as though your muscles are rubber bands. If they are not loose, they will snap. But, if they loosen up, they will be able to perform better.

Choose the exercises you can perform. Also, decide how many days you will be working out. Once you have a schedule and routine mapped out, you can begin. HITT is a terrific way to sculpt your body and lose fat, as well as toning up your muscles and adding strength.

As with any exercise program though, it is essential to make sure you are eating a healthy diet. Foods such as vegetables, fruits, and lean meats should be on your plate every time you eat. Also, make sure you are getting enough calories while watching your portions. Eating healthy and exercising will ensure you have a long and healthy life ahead of you.

The HIIT exercise trend is capturing the attention of the fitness world. Personal trainers and top medical experts are backing this new exercise routine. If you are not sure where to start, you can look up HIIT exercise on the internet, and it will bring up several results. There are several exercise DVDs available that you can purchase. On the DVDs, the trainer walks you through specific exercises, so you get the most out of the time you are exercising.

If you are looking for a fantastic way to tone up for spring and summer, and do not have a lot of time, this is an exercise routine you can try. It is nice because it is flexible, and you do not need to purchase expensive equipment to be able to do it. HIIT also enables you to do the exercise in your living room, which is great if you have kids. I love this type of routine because I do not have a lot of time to spend working out, but I want to be healthy and in shape.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!