HIIT training.... I nearly died.

[DanielBishop]

On my last cutting phase, I would job lightly to a school and use the atheltic track early in the morning.... and run about 5 laps or so.... I don't know how much that is in distance, but I was active for about 30 minutes in total, which was good.

But now I've been reading about the benefits of HIIT training.... so I decided I'd do 2 slow jogging warm-up laps.... then one (almost sprinting) lap.... then one or two jogging laps.... then one intense lap....

.... so in all I'd be doing 2 slow warmup laps, followed by:
1 intense lap
2 moderate laps
1 intense lap
2 moderate laps
1 intense lap
1 cool down lap

I thought that sounded pretty realistic for me. Oh, how I overestimated myself.

I did my first two slow laps, then started on my intense one.... by the end of it, I was almost dead.... man, it hurt.... so I did my 2 moderate laps, and then went again for another intense one.... and I couldn't even make half a lap. I had to stop....

I guess after not doing any cardio for a few months, I forgot that it takes time to ease back into it. I'll now use the above plan as my goal.... and try to work up to that.

 

[Robboe]

interval cardio rocks doesn't it...

 

[gymtime]

DB - Good job bro! Please keep us posted on how it works for you. I've been doing the long steady cardio thing and I'd like to get a first hand account of how effective the HIIT stuff is.

 

[Exodus]

it sure as heck beats the crap out of the mundane

 

[DanielBishop]

Yeah, I'll keep you posted about it.

But it terms of fat loss, I guess the results could also be due to the dieting and stuff. There's a few variables. But we'll see.

Bottom line is, I'm not very fit cardio-vascular. I've never really done high intensity cardio before.... just moderate running or walking. So it's all new to me, and I'm not used to it at all. Also after having not done ANY sort of cardio for a few months, I need to work my way gradually back into it.

 

[fhg43]

LOL

Dude that was funny! I'm not raggin' on ya. I was just visualizing the whole thing and I started laughing-guess I'm in a goofy mood today.

Once around the track is 400 meters, 1600 meters is a mile. So your interval workout the other day was 2.5 miles. Good job!

I have been critical of HIIT workouts in the past, but that workout is great. IMO that is the correct way to do an HIIT workout. I might add 2 slow laps on the end for an adequate cooldown. Most people make the intervals too long or too short. A lap around the track is perfect. It also looks like you are getting adequate rest between intervals as well. You should see good results. Keep us posted.

FHG