HIIT Cardio Question

NakedLunchTime
NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
edited January 2 in Fitness and Exercise
So I have searched this in the threads but not sure about something still. I run as hard as I can on the treadmill for right about 1/5th of a mile..then I walk at a normal walking pace until I can actually breathe again lol, and then continue this for usually 15-20 minutes. Is this a good HIIT routine or should I be doing something different that would be more effective....Hope this makes sense! Thanks for any help!:smile:

Replies

  • Wendysworld13
    Wendysworld13 Posts: 225 Member
    I am not exactly sure that the distance is the issue, it is the time of the intervals. I believe it should be like 2 min HI then 30 - 60 seconds recovery, repeat til you feel like dying or 20 minutes whichever comes last! Good Luck
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    Sounds like a good interval program. I like to time mine so I know I'm not waiting too long or too short (make sense)
    I don't use a treadmill but run outside and will go all out for a minute then jog for two, then over again
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    Well I am normally running my hardest for almost a full minute then walk about a minute..I don't think I could run the fast for 2 minutes..maybe I will eventually be able to work up to that?
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    Sounds like a good interval program. I like to time mine so I know I'm not waiting too long or too short (make sense)
    I don't use a treadmill but run outside and will go all out for a minute then jog for two, then over again

    OMG it's so crazy how when I run as hard as I can on the treadmill and then I do it outside, the difference I feel. I feel like I am flying on the treamill, and outside it's like I am not even moving (even though I am) haha
  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    I am not exactly sure that the distance is the issue, it is the time of the intervals. I believe it should be like 2 min HI then 30 - 60 seconds recovery, repeat til you feel like dying or 20 minutes whichever comes last!

    It's more about your heart rate than timing. It needs to be up and down and up and down. Don't worry about following any set time. I try to do this for the first bit of it but as I get to the end, my heart rate is higher so I have to wait longer before sprinting again.
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    Well I am normally running my hardest for almost a full minute then walk about a minute..I don't think I could run the fast for 2 minutes..maybe I will eventually be able to work up to that?


    Sounds good, I like to mix it up too. Sometimes I just run for a few miles and other times I do the intervals. Its good for your muscles and if you're like me for your attention span & preventing boredom:smile:
  • allisonmrn
    allisonmrn Posts: 721 Member
    Yep, sounds good to me. breathlessness is a good indication of exertion. Push till you can't go anymore, rest till you can go again.
  • Lesley2901
    Lesley2901 Posts: 372 Member
    I have used the intervals on the following website and found they work quite well although I'm only on intermediate at the moment.

    http://www.intervaltraining.net/HiitTraining-30.html
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    Sounds like a good interval program. I like to time mine so I know I'm not waiting too long or too short (make sense)
    I don't use a treadmill but run outside and will go all out for a minute then jog for two, then over again

    OMG it's so crazy how when I run as hard as I can on the treadmill and then I do it outside, the difference I feel. I feel like I am flying on the treamill, and outside it's like I am not even moving (even though I am) haha

    I hear ya, outisde you're dealing with terrain/wind/Vehicles:tongue: and on the treadmill the tread is actually helping your kick, so you feel a little faster
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I am not exactly sure that the distance is the issue, it is the time of the intervals. I believe it should be like 2 min HI then 30 - 60 seconds recovery, repeat til you feel like dying or 20 minutes whichever comes last!

    It's more about your heart rate than timing. It needs to be up and down and up and down. Don't worry about following any set time. I try to do this for the first bit of it but as I get to the end, my heart rate is higher so I have to wait longer before sprinting again.

    Ok, so running to a point where my heart rate is going crazy, then walk it out until it is almost back to normal and start out again..This is what I feel I am doing! Yay! lol For some reason I thought there was more to it, so I am happy ! Thanks!
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    Well I am normally running my hardest for almost a full minute then walk about a minute..I don't think I could run the fast for 2 minutes..maybe I will eventually be able to work up to that?


    Sounds good, I like to mix it up too. Sometimes I just run for a few miles and other times I do the intervals. Its good for your muscles and if you're like me for your attention span & preventing boredom:smile:

    Same here! I enjoy running, so sometimes I will decide to do a nice steady 5 miles and then some strenghth training..I use it as my therapy! :tongue:
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    Yep, sounds good to me. breathlessness is a good indication of exertion. Push till you can't go anymore, rest till you can go again.

    Awesome! Thanks!
  • crazylovergrl
    crazylovergrl Posts: 97 Member
    I use the tabata method, which is shorter intervals... I don't think there's a wrong way to do it though, just as long as you're really giving it your all!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training#Tabata_method
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I have used the intervals on the following website and found they work quite well although I'm only on intermediate at the moment.

    http://www.intervaltraining.net/HiitTraining-30.html

    Awesome! I just checked it out!!! I think I would be intermediate as well seeing I have been running for yrs now!! Great website, and I am glad its not blocked at work haha!! Thank you!
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    I started out doing 30 seconds running, 1 minute walking for about twenty minutes. After a couple of weeks, I increased to 1 minute running, 1 1/2 minutes walking. I got up to 1 minute 15 seconds running, 2 minutes walking, but got stuck there and couldn't run any longer than that no matter how hard I tried. One of the staff at my gym suggested that I try doing Tabata HIIT...20 seconds running, 10 seconds sedantary. At first, I could only do this for about five minutes because my HR would get so high. After a week or so, I added another minute and kept adding time every week for about six weeks. The other day, I wanted to test my endurance to see if it had improved. I was able to run for about five minutes without stopping. That doesn't sound like much to you people who have been running for a long time and are in much better shape than me. But I still weigh 250ish pounds, and I haven't been able to run for that long in years. It was a huge milestone for me. Apparently, there's something to this Tabata thing.
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I use the tabata method, which is shorter intervals... I don't think there's a wrong way to do it though, just as long as you're really giving it your all!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training#Tabata_method

    Thanks! I'll check it out! Oh ya, I give it my all..In my head I'm like "focus girl, you got this, think of that *kitten*"!! haha
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I started out doing 30 seconds running, 1 minute walking for about twenty minutes. After a couple of weeks, I increased to 1 minute running, 1 1/2 minutes walking. I got up to 1 minute 15 seconds running, 2 minutes walking, but got stuck there and couldn't run any longer than that no matter how hard I tried. One of the staff at my gym suggested that I try doing Tabata HIIT...20 seconds running, 10 seconds sedantary. At first, I could only do this for about five minutes because my HR would get so high. After a week or so, I added another minute and kept adding time every week for about six weeks. The other day, I wanted to test my endurance to see if it had improved. I was able to run for about five minutes without stopping. That doesn't sound like much to you people who have been running for a long time and are in much better shape than me. But I still weigh 250ish pounds, and I haven't been able to run for that long in years. It was a huge milestone for me. Apparently, there's something to this Tabata thing.

    That's great!! What an accomplishment! Running is tough, that's for sure! Another girl just mentioned the Tabata method too so I will definetly be checking it out!! Thanks! and good lucky on your journey! You seem to be doing amazing! :happy:
  • jasulliv
    jasulliv Posts: 1 Member
    I belong to "Get In Shape for Women" and they recommend 3 min. at a jogging pace, followed by 1 minute all out. Keep repeating for about 25 min. They were the ones that recommended myfitnesspal.com as a way of tracking progress, and I love it :)
  • NakedLunchTime
    NakedLunchTime Posts: 559
    I belong to "Get In Shape for Women" and they recommend 3 min. at a jogging pace, followed by 1 minute all out. Keep repeating for about 25 min. They were the ones that recommended myfitnesspal.com as a way of tracking progress, and I love it :)

    I have done this too! However sometimes I have to go down to a walk because I am just too exerted, but I love hearing everyones variations! Thank you!!
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