What is HIIT...

S

shafdude

0
I just want to know what High Intensity Interval Training is precisely.

Like what is it used for, who is it good for etcetra...
Is HIIT only for burning fat or can it also be used for building muscle? If it can be used for building muscle than what could I do to benefit of it.

I am a 15 year old male who is really skinny and I have been told that training with high intensity is good for people with the ectomorph body type (so doing stuff like lifting heavier weights with less repetitions is better for me?)

Please reply if you know this because I don't want to waste my time working out for a long period of time and not get results. Thank You!!!
 
I will provide more information if you ask me for it, so that you can answer my question with more detail.

Thanks Again!!!
 
shafdude said:
I just want to know what High Intensity Interval Training is precisely.

Like what is it used for, who is it good for etcetra...
Is HIIT only for burning fat or can it also be used for building muscle? If it can be used for building muscle than what could I do to benefit of it.

I am a 15 year old male who is really skinny and I have been told that training with high intensity is good for people with the ectomorph body type (so doing stuff like lifting heavier weights with less repetitions is better for me?)

Please reply if you know this because I don't want to waste my time working out for a long period of time and not get results. Thank You!!!
Click to expand...



HIIT is basically doing short burst of intense cardio. So, for instance, instead of running at a steady pace for 2 miles you would sprint for 1 minute at full speed, then a light jog or walk for 1 minute, and then sprint again, etc. etc. It can be done running, biking, whatever. The point is to go as hard and fast as you can for a set amount of time (30 seconds, 1 minute) followed by a rest period of about the same time and then repeat. I usually do it on a treadmill or a track 6 to 8 times, which ends up being about a 20 minute cardio workout.

HIIT is great for fat burning and cardio health, but for building muscle you'll have to do weight bearing exercises (squats, lunges, leg presses, etc.). I'm in my 20's and had the same body type as you. What worked for me was heavier weights with fewer reps (3 sets of 6-8 reps with heavier weights rather than the standard 3 sets of 10-12 reps) and changing how I eat.

Also, keep in mind that doing too much cardio will cut into muscle gains. It's very difficult to be doing a lot of cardio and see big gains in terms of muscles (that why marathon runners are usually skinny). Don't do an hour of cardio 4 times a week. I usually do about 20 minutes after I lift weights, just enough to keep the cardiovascular system healthy.
 
There is a sub-forum on interval training here: Interval Training if you are looking for more info on HIIT.

The common point that people forget is that HIIT is ALL-OUT effort intervals, not just 'high-intensity' intervals. Interval training can be done many different ways at various intensities; HIIT is basically the most intense form of interval training.
 
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