Fitness Blog

Benefits Of A Short Workout

How often do we hear, or even think, that we have no time to exercise? Studies suggest lack of time is one of the top reasons people don't exercise as much as they should, resulting in increased obesity levels and heart disease patients.

However, help is at hand. If you were told that you don't need an hour down the gym 4-5 times per week to keep your fitness levels at an ideal, then surely excuses would dwindle. Instead, you can spend 15 minutes in your lounge a few days per week and still see results which are as good, if not better, than longer ones.

High intensity interval training, often referred to as HIIT, is the way to achieve these amazing results in a reduced amount of time. Don't be fooled into thinking that shorter is easier, you're really going to work for your results, but we promise it's worth it.

HIIT is a workout which requires short, sharp bouts of intense exercise, followed by a brief recovery period. This sequence is repeated throughout the workout, encouraging your body to improve your recovery time. Ideally, this workout would be continued for 20-30 minutes. Research proves that this will result in increased fat loss, as well as muscle production.

This muscle production is increased due to the training producing muscle building hormones, such as IGF-1. This hormone is also proven to increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and brittle bones.

Long periods of running, or other workouts, often lead to weight loss, however they often reduce muscle mass too. By increasing muscle production and reducing fat, your body will become stronger, leaner and more toned. It will also mean that your body becomes a fat burning machine; even after you have finished working out.

Due to the intensity of a HIIT workout, your cardiovascular health will improve greatly. Studies prove that HIIT workouts the heart muscle will enlarge, allowing the heart to become stronger and bigger. Stamina improves due to the short rest periods and your VO2 max improves too.

Another plus point of these high intensity workouts are that you really can do them anytime and anywhere. There is no need for any equipment, although you can use some if you wish, and you only need a limited amount of space, as opposed to a gym or field to work out on. The versatility of the training makes it easier to commit to; 20 minutes in the morning in your lounge, or even in your office after work could literally change you health and your life.

With the main excuses taken out of the equation, there's never been a better time to start a new exercise regime. To get you started, why not treat yourself to some quality new gym wear. After all, you'll be saving hundreds on your gym membership.

GymWear UK

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