Hi all,

In my ongoing struggle with my belly I am constantly looking for new and interesting ways to exercise. After falling into the trap of doing the same steady state aerobics video, literally for years, and not getting the desired results, I have learned that mixing up a routine is definitely the best way to go. That said I have recently finished up the 6 week Biggest Loser Workout DVD program and have now switched to Tae Bo and Yoga on alternating days. I also throw in 1.5 hours of walking every day and a few HIIT oriented spin sessions a week with some weight training.

But my question is about Tae Bo. So far I am liking it and it is quite challenging. But could it be considered HIIT? The workout is almost the same, in that you do a set interval of low intensity then slam it for a short run of high intensity "Cardio!!" as he calls it in the video. So it does alternate for the full 40 minutes between a slower pace and a faster one (I go 100% in cardio stage).

Does that constitute HIIT do ya figure??

sirant

People in general are misunderstanding what HIIT is. I am about to put a sticky a the top of the forum about it as I feel it needs to be cleared up.

What you are talking about with the Tae-bo video is interval training, not HIIT.

You can't possibly go 100% and do it for more than 10-15 mins even including the bouts of slowing down, it isn't possible. I am highly trained and have been doing HIIT for quite some time and can still barely go for 20-25 mins tops and that is including a 5 min warm up and 5 min cool down and can barely move afterwards. I have even had times where I got physically sick. This is very intense training.

Thanks for the information. It is interesting to get another view on it. It is a little contradictory from other sources I have read on the internet, including links from Steve here in the group, but everyone has their own ideas on what works. Personally I am not into exercise that makes me vomit, but I suppose everyone has different needs.

But thanks for answering my original question. Tae Bo does seem much more like interval training rather than HIIT, especially the way you described it.

I followed one of the links to a very helpful site with a good 12 minute spin HIIT program I quite like and can do. It is shorter than the one you describe, but for now it seems to be working well.

For my money I will leave the falling on the face and puking for you hardcore guys, I just want to get into better shape not injure myself in the process.

Thanks again,

sirant

No problem. And there is nothing wrong with regular interval training. Just saying if you are talking about or using the phrase HIIT, it is a specific thing. Just merely clearing that up so that people are no longer confused as to what it is.


Good Luck on your goals.

Thanks! I do honestly hope that someday soon I will have the capacity to work out as hard as you serious HIIT guys, if not the overwhelming desire....



And yes, definitetly the whole HIIT thing needed more discussion, as it is mentioned a lot here, but not to much was really known about it.

sirant

I don't think I ever provided any links to HIIT. I wrote my own article on HIIT which is stickied in other forums, and in it, you will see that I agree with Leigh. HIIT does not go beyond 20 minutes. Heck, many of my sessions go only 12.

And Leigh, feel free to use my article that is stickied over at Lee's as part of your sticky. Or not, doesn't matter, not sure what you have planned.