My first impressions of HIIT cardio?!?!

[CobraUTAH]

HOLY SHIT!!! This is going to make or break me! It was unbelievably difficult. I haven't ran in almost 4 months since the bulking cycle and even before that. Now I'm weighing 30 pounds more than I did the last time I ran I can really feel the extra weight when on the track. Anyway I ran a five minute warm-up at a jogging pace 50-60% of max, then did two 1 minute intervals of 30 seconds 90-95% sprinting, and 30 seconds of 50-60% jogging. Only 7 total minutes had elapsed and I felt like my lungs were going to explode. It was very difficult to regain normal breathing, I almost felt like I was about to panic due to the trouble my body had in breathing and catching breath. The legs got a pretty massive pump as well, and that felt good. I sure can't wait until thursday, that's my next HIIT session.

 

[endpoint]

so in other words its working?

 

[gtrcivic]

in to week 2 of Hiit and why didn't i discover this earlier. usually would do 30 min on the ellipitcal to burn fat 3x/week. Prettty sure after 3 wks, i'll start seeing the fat melt off.

 

[CobraUTAH]

gtrcivic, How many times a week are you doing HIIT? If your on week two now you've probably done it about 5 or 6 times? Has it gotten easier yet? How much warm-up are you doing, and how many intervals?

 

[gtrcivic]

did my 5th one and got alot easier. First week, felt that the 30 sec jog wasn't a long enough of a break to catch my breath. Next thing i know i look down and its time to sprint again!!!

2nd week, could easily do the jog/sprint for 4 times at 1min each. Just am winded when i finish the last sprint. Figure 2 more times this week and i should be alright. By next week should see the results of fat melting off of me... Besides HIIT, also doing regular cardio 30 min 2 times a week.

 

[Big_Nims]

I feel you bro. I started HIIT cardio about a week ago, and I love it. I will never spend an hour on a treadmill again. I have noticed that it takes more to get my heart rate up to where it should be(I wear a heart rate monitor), so I am getting in better shape. It's a challange, short and intense, just like I like it.

 

[CobraUTAH]

What heart rate monitor did you get? I wish more of them had stop watches built in, but almost all the polar brand ones I saw didn't. How are you guys watching your 30 second intervals are you using a stop watch? Also when does the fat burning really start? Right now doing just seven minutes total cardio 5 minute warm-up and then just two 1 minute intervals is very intense but doesn't seem like it would burn much fat yet. When do you start to see results when you hit 5 and 6 total intervals? Also exactly how many sessions of HIIT are you doing a week, how many days in between sessions, and are you just doing HIIT on that day or some lifting too. My first session was Monday and I want to go today because I'm not lifting, but I'm not sure if my calfes and legs are really ready for it or not. What is the best or adequate amount of rest days between HIIT sessions.

 

[woof]

All of the Timex Ironman watches have a countdown repeat timer. You can set it for 30sec and it will beep every 30 sec. You can usually find them for $20 at Target.

 

[CobraUTAH]

I do remember those watches WOOF thanks for the info, I'll probably go get one of those.

 

[Legion Kreinak2]

HIIT sounds insane. If it really burns fat, whilst sparing muscle, as it is said to - then count me in! Anyone wanna point me to the website?