Q & A's
Who Would Benefit The Most From An HIIT Regimen?
Someone looking to burn as much fat as possible during a cutting phase, someone looking to minimize fat gain during a bulking phase, or someone looking to increase aerobic and anaerobic endurance significantly would all benefit greatly from a HIIT regimen.
Athletes who participate in a sport where the intensity varies constantly will benefit greatly as well. HIIT simulates a sport like basketball or soccer very well in that low to moderate intensity is constantly alternated with high intensity.
What Kind Of Results Can You Expect From HIIT?
HIIT will accomplish two goals: it will help accelerate fat loss and improve aerobic and anaerobic endurance. HIIT will most likely produce very fast results in a short period of time which is why it has been gaining popularity ever since it was introduced to the bodybuilding community.
Nobody can promise any specific results but it is feasible that after an 8-week cycle of HIIT combined with weight training, you and those around you will be able to notice a significant change to your body. Athletes will be able to perform better in their given sport and will outperform others toward the end of games when everyone else is getting tired.
How Does HIIT Compare To Other Training Methods?
Scientific literature suggests that HIIT is much more effective than regular cardio for accomplishing both of the goals stated earlier. "The reason that High Intensity Interval Training works better [than normal cardio] for fat loss is this:
When you do a cardio session at the same pace the whole time, your body goes into what is called steady state. This means that your body has adjusted itself to the speed you are going and tries hard to conserve energy (calories). You will be able to avoid this and burn more calories and FAT by doing the interval training." (Source:
HIIT High Intensity Interval Cardio Training -- Cardio)
Also, "A study at Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that HIIT cardio helped trainees lose nine times more fat than those who trained the traditional way (moderate speed for 20-60 minutes)."
HIIT stimulates the body in a way that cannot be paralleled by other methods of cardio. Constant change which allows for higher intensity is the key to HIIT.