HIIT Training (High Intensity Interval Training)
Treadmill - HIIT Training vs. Regular Aerobics
The body has two energy systems: aerobic and anaerobic. When the body is forced to shift gears into anaerobic, which is what happens during HIIT training, amazing things start happening, such as the increased release of the “youth” hormone: human growth hormone.
A study was published in a 2002 issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology reporting that high-intensity sprinting produced 96 percent more growth hormone when tested against the effects of jogging at a significantly slower pace. Growth hormone:
• Expedites breakdown of fatty tissue
• Gives you a faster metabolism
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Strengthens bones
• Increases energy and promotes better sleep
• Boosts immune function
• And is a great way to increase libido.
Though a greater percentage (about 50 percent) of fat is burned for energy during long, slower aerobics, and a smaller percentage (about 40 percent) of fat is burned for energy during HIIT training, keep in mind that the TOTAL calories and TOTAL fat burned during HIIT is greater than those burned during steady-state aerobics.
For example, suppose you burn 200 calories during steady-state cardio. A few days later, you spend the same amount of time doing HIIT training, but burn 300 calories. Now, the steady-state 50 percent (of 200) means 100 calories of fat were burned. But the HIIT 40 percent (of 300) means that 120 calories were burned! So never mind fat percentages; HIIT burns more TOTAL fat.
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