Top 5 Common HIIT Mistakes
High-Intensity Interval Training
(HIIT) is a great way to build stamina and burn fat. Using high-intensity
workouts ensures that you exercise at maximum capacity, improve your heart rate
and get the best results when it comes to reducing and torching body fat. But
like with any workout regimen, you need to do it the correct and "proper" way.
This doesn't only maximum the workout benefits but also reduces the chances of
injury and fatigue.
For instance, not consuming enough
calories during a HIIT workout regime can lead to muscle wear over time and
instead lose the much-needed muscle mass. If this is your first time at trying
HIIT workouts, you may want to start slow and build up the intensity over time.
You can start with a 15-minute session and make increments of 5 minutes per day
or session until you get to 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, however, given the
nature at intensity involved, there are plenty of other things that can
possibly go wrong during your HIIT workout. Here is a quick look at some of the
common HIIT mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1.
Training For Too Long
When
it comes to high-intensity interval workouts, always remember; less is more.
So, if your HIIT workout lasts more than 30 minutes, you are not going to get
the best results. 10 sprints done in one minute are equal to several hours of
normal cycling. So be sure to cut down your workout sessions into smaller
chunks for better results.
2.
Don't Rely on HIIT To Grow Muscle
If
your primary goal is to gain more muscle mass, then HIIT isn't the right
workout regime for you. Well, it's great for getting ripped, burning fat and
defining a few muscles, but not the best for bulking. For muscle building, go
for the bigger weights, eat bigger meals and take it slow.
3.
Training Too Often
Now
that HIIT training takes less than 30 minutes, you might as well do a session
every day, right? Wrong! The intensity that's involved with HIIT workouts calls
for sufficient rest to give your muscles enough time to heal and repair. Resist
the temptation to cram your calendar with HIIT sessions to avoid injury and
muscle fatigue. Perform at most, four HIIT sessions per week and allow at least
one full rest day between HIIT sessions.
4.
Performing HIIT Without Fuel
HIIT
doesn't go well with any diet plan that advocates for minimal calorie intake.
Your body needs a lot of energy to fuel you through these intense sessions. So,
as much as your primary goal is burning fat and looking lean, always consume
enough calories to keep you energized which will also help you recover
afterward. Pre and Post training shakes can also come in handy to provide the
much-needed nutrients.
5.
HIIT Without a Warm-Up
A
warm up is particularly important for any kind of intense workout. If you are
going to rip up your body, you at least need to prepare it first. Some people
consider resting as part of their warm up, which is not correct. Spend about 15
minutes before each HIIT session warming up the muscles that will be doing the
hardest job. This will not only prepare you for the workout but will also
prevent injury.
The
Bottom Line
There is no shortcut to getting the
best from HIIT, you just have to do the correct thing - get the basics right.
If you are wanting to start burning fat, getting ripped and looking lean, avoid
the above HIIT mistakes and practice the tips I've offered. Thankfully, they
are not hard to escape, with a few adjustments, you should be on your way to
getting the best from your HIIT sessions.
About
The Author
My goal is to help as many people
as possible who are looking to torch body fat, get ripped and shredded or build
lean muscle mass.
I offer advice on training with
different workout methods and nutrition and dietary information, gathered from
my very own experience and trials. I've managed to find the method that works
best for me and I hope to help others find the method that works best for them.
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