HIIT

Ever tried crossfit? All metcons are pretty much a HIIT workout and really show results!

Why do you want to do HIIT? Are you not seeing progress with your current program, or are you of the mistaken opinion that training must be unpleasant to be effective?

There are loads, Spartan Workout is a good one. HIIT is ok but only burns calories during and post workout and gives short term capabilities, no endurance benefits

I'm no expert, but I agree with Stanmann - I can't envisage a HIIT workout that isn't horrible.

I do a bit of HIIT on the rowing machine. It's the routine that is most likely to make me vomit.

I agree that different people like different things. Some people might like to vomit. I've yet to meet one.

Scubdup wrote: »

I'm no expert, but I agree with Stanmann - I can't envisage a HIIT workout that isn't horrible.

I do a bit of HIIT on the rowing machine. It's the routine that is most likely to make me vomit.

I agree that different people like different things. Some people might like to vomit. I've yet to meet one.

Do you know any alcoholics?

I don't think wanting to puke is the part anybody enjoys. It's the getting drunk. Very high intensity cardio is stressful for the body, and tends to produce endorphins as a result. Other people just like doing things to improve their fitness. Different strokes.

stanmann571 wrote: »

Scubdup wrote: »

I'm no expert, but I agree with Stanmann - I can't envisage a HIIT workout that isn't horrible.

Not if it's done correctly according to the protocol. 3-5 rounds 30-60 seconds maximal effort interspersed with 15-120 seconds rest between rounds.

But as I said above, most people claiming to be doing HIIT aren't actually doing max effort.

Although I guess there's a small percentage of highly conditioned athletes who can hit max effort repeatedly without discomfort.

And even though the concept in lifting would probably be noticed if the first set had X weight, and next had to decrease by 20 lbs, and next set by another 20 lbs - that you likely started out too heavy to begin with - it seems like those that are at least getting close to true HIIT method start out way to long with too short rests - meaning the subsequent "sets" can't be max effort for muscles because recovery wasn't long enough.

Basically, anything feels max if you hold your breath long enough.

jobabygp45yrs wrote: »

I just wanted some more ideas & Didn't want to download every single app just to find the right one. Most are for beginners & sorting through them is very very boring.

Are you talking about doing bodyweight work, or using weights, or on a rowing machine, bike, running?

HIIT is just a training protocol, so the answers you get might be meaningless depending on how you want to train.

Some of the responses are about trying to get some clarification on what you want, others aren't so helpful.

Personally I'd be suggesting getting on a running track or using a Wattbike, so if either of those work for you then there are some ideas, if they don't then anything I'll suggest isn't what you'll need.

stanmann571 wrote: »

need2belean wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

Why do you want to do HIIT? Are you not seeing progress with your current program, or are you of the mistaken opinion that training must be unpleasant to be effective?

Geeze. Maybe she actually wants to do them? She states in her original message that she has gotten to a point that her workouts aren't tough enough. Let her do HIIT if she wants to do HIIT. And PS, HIIT does not always have to be unpleasant. HIIT on the Stairmaster or Treadmill HIIT Sprints are one of my favorite.

IF it's your favorite, it's probably not HIIT.

By definition, HIIT is unpleasant. doing 85-110% max performance repeatedly for a total of 3-5 minutes over 10-20 minutes total training session is unpleasant.

As with dieting, many believe that training has to be unpleasant to be effective.

Others believe that calling a kitten a horse means you can ride it. IOW, 95% of everything called HIIT, ISN'T!!

I LOVE my HIIT workouts so you should probably only speak for yourself.

The powers that be had a laugh today and programmed a HIIT rowing workout for me today as punishment for my earlier comments no doubt.

I still just cannot see how anyone can say they enjoy HIIT.

If you look at a measure of exercise intensity like Rate of Perceived Exertion, HIIT is pretty much by definition unenjoyable.

Most HIIT protocols demand maximum, 10/10 intensity. Some are *generous* and allow you a 9 or even an 8.

If you look at the RPE descriptions, they do not describe a happy state of affairs:-

• 8-9 Hard exertion. You're breathing really hard and you can only say a few words at a time. You're wondering how long you can go on like this.
• 10 Hardest exertion. You can not keep this pace for more than a minute. Speaking is impossible. This is your limit.

NorthCascades wrote: »

You bring up a good point about titrating effort. I use a power meter, so there's nothing subjective about it for me; either I put 650 w out for 20 seconds, or I didn't. I don't know how people attempt it with an HRM since heart rate is so laggy.

From a running perspective that's why it's a track session, rather than a treadmill. Fixed distances, but it's all RPE as HR lags, and drifts. Plus if you can see, and read, your HRM display you're not working in your 98%Max range.

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

You bring up a good point about titrating effort. I use a power meter, so there's nothing subjective about it for me; either I put 650 w out for 20 seconds, or I didn't. I don't know how people attempt it with an HRM since heart rate is so laggy.

From a running perspective that's why it's a track session, rather than a treadmill. Fixed distances, but it's all RPE as HR lags, and drifts. Plus if you can see, and read, your HRM display you're not working in your 98%Max range.

Yep, that would be a good standard too. Completely objective, and measurable. Whatever it felt like on that particular day, you put in a specific amount of effort.

heybales wrote: »

ijsantos2005 wrote: »

jobabygp45yrs wrote: »

Ok, to clear things up...I enjoy HIIT, it invigorates me, I do 30-40min before my weight sessions, love to sweat my *kitten* off btw! I find most anything else boring & not worth the effort of driving to gym. If I dont henceforth with perspiration then I'm not enjoying myself......true story! I dont think it needs to be too technical people, as long as it get my heart rate up & makes me sweat, who cares if its not an exact science .... its about having fun, for me anyway!

I don't think it's considered HIIT anymore if you're doing if for that long. What you're more likely doing is Interval Training. It may not seem like it's that different, but it is.

...and just as valid a workout.

I'm not sure why some people just must have their workout called HIIT no matter what they are doing, perhaps they aren't aware of any other type of interval, and that HIIT is named such to distinguish it from other interval types, or maybe it sounds more impressive - "I did a HIIT workout", "oh, what's HIIT?", "that is High Intensity Interval Training, it's a killer".

Not sure about doing intervals of any sort though (except jog/walk) prior to lifting though, sounds like a great idea to artificially limit the weight you can do, sorta ruining the focus of that workout.

I think it's shorthand more than anything else. HIIT is the buzzword so it is used in popular media so that's what people use. 99% of the population don't care about the arcane distinctions we discuss here.

And 95% of the population can get all the benefits they want doing the varied types of interval and circuit training now being labeled HIIT.

I think it's a modest concern when the specific benefits that are associated with "true HIIT" become overgeneralized to things like "tabata planks". There is the risk of people thinking they are going to get benefits that do not exist for those other types of training.

However, since most people aren't going to stick with it very long anyhow (esp when they don't see the promised benefits), I suspect the practical effect is negligible.

The overall true benefit of people doing some higher-intensity interval work far exceeds the more hypothetical benefits they might achieve from doing true HIIT, so I don't really care in this case if the nomenclature is not precise.