Thursday, July 13, 2017

HIIT Training: The Pros and Cons

High intensity interval training, or HIIT, has become one of the most popular training methods in todays fitness world. It's popularity formed for several reasons which include; efficiency in weight loss, easily accessible and easily modified for people of all fitness levels (Kravitz). Although HIIT training does have its perks, it does not come without some flaws. This discussion will include both the pros and cons of high intensity interval training.

HIIT training is one of the most convenient training programs, making it one of the most popular programs. HIIT exercises can be used with just about any workout, including cycling, swimming, jogging, walking, and weight training (Kravitz). Not only is HIIT training convenient it can also be modified depending on a persons fitness level. When developing a program for high intensity interval training the program is individualized by the athletes max heart rate (Clark). This means that assessments, both subjective and objective, must be done prior to developing the program so that it will fit the athletes needs. One other pro of using HIIT training is that it can be done less frequently than aerobic workouts and produces better results (Kravitz). This is because of something called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption or EPOC which causes the body to use more energy in order to restore  it  back to a pre exercise level (Clark, Lucett, Sutton).   

Although there are benefits to using HIIT there are also some things to be concerned about. Like with any fitness program, there are risks to using HIIT as method of training. HIIT training may cause a higher risk of coronary heart disease for athletes who have been inactive for an extended amount of time (Kravitz). For this reason athletes clients must for be cleared by a medical physician before starting the program. This is also a reason why the fitness professional must design the program to fit the client or athlete's individual needs. 

As stated HIIT programs are the most effective fitness programs in weight loss and cardiorespiratory training. After being cleared by a physician and assessed by a fitness professional it also can be done safely without injury.   


Clark, M. A. Lucett, S. C. Sutton, B. G.NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training          2016

Kravitz, L. High Intensity Interval Training. https://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/high-             intensity-interval-training.pdf

Wenger, H. A. Bell, G. J. The Interactions of Intensity, Frequency, and Duration of                     Exercise Training in Altering Cardio Respiratory Fitness 1986. http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-198603050-00004




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