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2004/05/31, 08:08 PM
Hey yall! I've been reading on these boards for a few months now, and it seems like there are a lot of pros here, so I thought maybe I could ask for some advice now? I've read a little about HIIT, and I'm thinking it'll be good for me (ya think??). I'm weight training 3x a week with a trainer, also doing cardio, and my goal is to lose about 60 lbs. and become "toned". But I have a few questions... For one, is HIIT right for me? I've just taken up running, but can only run like 1 min, then walk 2, then run 1, etc. And my goal with running is actually to work up to running atleast a 5K, but that's obviously not happening any time soon. So with HIIT, will I be doing enough cardio to drop some weight, and will I still build up my stamina as far as running (getting to a 5K)? Also, should I alternate my cardio sessions, one day do running, then switch to the elliptical, then bike, or what? Is strictly running OK? My trainer had mentioned that my body might get too used to the treadmill, but I wasn't sure if it made a difference that I'd be adding more running to my run/walk intervals. And then how many days a week should I actually do cardio? On my 3 days of weights (we train for about an hour), should I do cardio afterwards? Or are weight days for weights only (besides a cardio warm-up)?. And one more thing (sorry!)... for how long? Like should I run the way I do, alternating run/walk, using the HIIT program for a total of 15 - 20 mins? I'm kinda confused, and need some input. Sorry I asked so many Qs in this long post. Thanks in advance for any help. :)
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2004/06/01, 04:59 AM
HIIT is probably the most efficient way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and if your goal is a 5K run then I would have thought that what you are doing is as good as any other training. As your fitness improves you might want to add in one longer session a week at a more steady pace - see what your trainer thinks.
HIIT is good for weight loss as in addition to the energy used during the session, it raises the metabolic rate for a few hours afterwards, causing your body to burn extra calories while you rest
As for doing a session on the bike or elliptical the benefits are that you will be doing a lower impact session and emphasising slightly different muscles for a more balanced workout. If your main goal is doing a 5K run, then I would do the majority of workouts as running.
It is up to you whether you do cardio after your weights - the pros would be increased fitness and weight loss, the cons would be that you will probably gain a bit less muscle this way.
As for duration 15 to 20 minutes is about right for a HIIT session.
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2004/06/01, 07:41 AM
You are doing HIIT, sort of.
Warm up , then incraese to a moderate speed for 30 seconds, back down for 30 seconds, then a higher speed 30 seconds, back down 30 seconds, then up mopderate 1 minutes, down 1-2 minutes.
Keep varying the intensity and always recover for as long as you were in an up interval.
I don't have anything else to add, the princess pretty much said it all.:big_smile:
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If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
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