Advice about HIIT/Sprinting

Jrabbit321
Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
in Fitness and Exercise
I am trying to lose 10 pounds as quickly as possible. I am planning on doing Sprints/HIIT as my main source of cardio plus weight training. How often should I do the sprints & how many at a time? Thanks so much!

Replies

  • cordianet
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
    I really would not recommend doing sprints more than once or twice a week. It's great exercise and will burn calories like nobody's business, but it's also extremely taxing on the system. You could work your way up to more, but especially eating at a deficit, I think you'll burn out too fast. A much better plan in my mind would be to do 2-3 heavy strength training session a week, one to two HIIT sessions, and then any other slow cardio or active play you want to do and feel up to doing.
  • bonniejo
    bonniejo Posts: 787 Member
    Beachbody recommends HIIT no more than every other day. I've tried two days in a row, and while it feels fine at first I can never finish and always regret it!
  • Jrabbit321
    Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
    Thanks everyone for the advice so far, I agree that they are very taxing on the body, that's why I wasn't sure how often & for how long I should do them.
  • JeffFromSC
    JeffFromSC Posts: 4
    I moved HIIT to the elliptical and arc trainer machines. The impact from the running hurt my shins when increasing frequency. Just watch for over training and getting sidelined with injuries.
  • Jrabbit321
    Jrabbit321 Posts: 91
    I moved HIIT to the elliptical and arc trainer machines. The impact from the running hurt my shins when increasing frequency. Just watch for over training and getting sidelined with injuries.

    How do you do it on the elliptical?
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    You simply increase the intensity/resistance for a short bout of time
  • jimmie65
    jimmie65 Posts: 655 Member
    Following up on the above, you can do HIIT with weights as well. Pick a dynamic lift that utilizes multiple muscles, like a thruster, and pick a weight about 30-50% of your max. Then do as many reps as you can in 30 secs, rest 30 secs, and repeat for however long.
    Kettlebell swings are a good exercise for HIIT as well.

Categories