Have you heard about High-Intensity Interval Training and wondered what HIIT’s all about?
Or noticed joggers or walkers sporadically speeding up for short bouts?
HIIT is a great way to make the most of aerobic exercise, and although it has media buzz, it’s not just a trend.
It’s also not just for “the young and healthy,” the Mayo Clinic says. “Researchers have found that HIIT can improve health and fitness for just about everyone and has even bigger benefits for older adults.”
During a HIIT workout, you go back and forth between working hard and taking it easy.
The Mayo Clinic cites just one study that shows walkers improved aerobic fitness, leg strength and blood pressure just by alternating between three minutes of fast walking and three minutes of slow walking – for 30 minutes, four times a week.
Their results were better than others who walked twice as long but at a slower, consistent pace.
It’s even better news for people over 65. The Mayo Clinic says age-related deterioration of muscle cells has actually been reversed.
And AARP says that varying short bursts of fast walking with longer bouts of strolling helps:
- Lower inflammation
- Improve blood pressure
- Slow aging
- Reduce the risk of many diseases
Try HIIT on a treadmill or other equipment, or with strength training. Let us answer any questions you might have about whether this is right for you.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.