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Written By: Agencies | Published : March 29, 2014 5:28 PM IST
High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, has increased in popularity over the last few years as an effective workout that focuses on series of short, vigorous exercises rather than long workouts. The popularity of HIIT has birthed a new exercise trend, reports Reuters, that pairs the fitness regimen with other celebrated workouts, such as yoga and pilates.
Such 'hybrid' workouts are believed to be a great way to increase heart rate while burning calories. 'My belief is to make the most of every second at the gym: get the workout done in the shortest time possible,' Stephanie Lauren, a certified group fitness and yoga instructor, told Reuters. Lauren created Plyoga fitness, which blends yoga postures with the explosive jumping and leaping of plyometrics. (Read: Five new workout regimes which will blow your mind!)
Jessica Matthews, an exercise physiologist at Miramar College in San Diego, California, notes that while hybrid forms of exercise have become commonplace, they don't mean nixing that daily jog or walk. Matthews also works as a yoga teacher and group fitness instructor. 'HIIT shows that in a very short time we can elicit maximum benefits, but that's not saying that anything not HIIT should be tossed,' she said to Reuters, adding that finding a qualified instructor for hybrid classes is key. (Read: 10 awesome fitness workouts for the perfect you!)
While the incorporation of HIIT into these workout methods is relatively new, the fusion workout has been a hot trend for the last few years. Other fusion workout methods include Xtend Barre, which combines Pilates, cardio dance and barre fitness and was spotlighted at the 2013 FIBO Fitness showcase in Cologne, as well as Rock Fusion Pilates, Yoga Boot Camp, and Piloxing, which combines Pilates and boxing moves. (Read: The 30-30 workout get fit in 20 minutes!)
What is HIIT?
HIIT or high intensity interval training is a type of cardio training which requires you to combine periods of activity at high intensity with periods at low intensity. HIIT has been a rage with gym-goers to lose fat and bulk up since they claim that while steady-state cardio burns both fat and muscle, HIIT only targets the stubborn fat. So an example of a HIIT session would be 3 minutes on the treadmill at 5km/h followed by 2 minutes at 12km/h and this would be repeated at least thrice. HIIT not only burns more fat than steady state cardio but is also better for the heart and helps you burn fat from stubborn places. If you've trouble running, HIIT can be performed on other machines like the elliptical or indoor cycle as well.
With inputs from AFP
Image source: AFP
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