HIIT and Functional Training Benefits
Increase your blood flow. Push your boundaries. Excel in your training regimen. There are many benefits of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and HIFT (High Intensity Functional Training). Have you tried to incorporate this into your workout routine yet?
Before we dive into the benefits, it’s important to understand the difference between HIIT (High-Intensity interval training) and HIFT (High-Intensity Functional Training). HIIT is often characterized by short bursts of intense activity, intersected with rest or low-intensity active recovery periods. HIFT is defined as utilizing constantly varied movements, incorporating different types of workouts at assorted durations, with or without active rest periods. Both of these training modes are excellent if you want to lose weight, maintain a certain weight, and improve your health. It’s especially great for your mobility, strength, and exercise efficiency. The best part? It can be beneficial to any type of person, no matter your fitness level, gender, or age! Here are some of the most compelling reasons why you should start prioritising HIIT and HIFT.
#1 Improve your movement
Functional training means that your exercises are based on movements and not isolated muscle actions. Once you start incorporating HIIT and HIFT, you’ll see an improvement in your movements and flexibility.
#2 Training efficiency
Work smarter; not harder. ;) These type of exercises helps and allows you to perform at your optimal best. Did you know many strength and conditioning coaches design exercise programs based on movement patterns to help their athletes function more efficiently in a competitive environment?
#3 Increased Calorie Burn
It may help you burn more calories than traditional exercise or burn the same number of calories in a shorter amount of time. One of the ways HIIT helps you burn calories actually comes after you’re done exercising.
Several studies have demonstrated HIIT’s impressive ability to increase your metabolic rate for hours after exercise. Due to the intensity of the workout, HIIT can elevate your metabolism for hours after exercise. This results in burning additional calories even after you have finished exercising. Time to add HIIT to your workout routine!
#4 Increase lean muscle mass
We all strive for lean muscle mass!
Weight training continues to be the gold standard form of exercise to increase muscle mass, but did you know that high-intensity intervals could support a small amount of muscle growth?
#5 Better your mobility
Coordination. Agility. Balance. As it uses the body’s own weight to perform an exercise, you need to solely rely on your own body and own strength. In return, this strengthens your own balance and capabilities. It’ll lead to a better quality of life.
#6 Improve your blood pressure
HIIT and HIFT may have important health benefits as well.
A large amount of research indicates that it can reduce heart rate and blood pressure in people overweight and obese, populations in which high blood pressure is common. According to Sci-Sport, high-interval training can significantly reduce blood pressure at systolic (12 mmHg) and diastolic (8 mmHg) compared to MICT (4.5 / 3.5 mmHg).
The article further states that these types of exercises have been shown to improve endothelial function which allows for better vasodilatation of the arteries. It is probably these improvements (and many others) that can reduce blood pressure.
Conclusion
Spice up your workout routine and reap the benefits of high-interval training. It will not only test your limits but also improve your overall health and wellness. What’s not to like about HIIT and HIFT?
Resources
https://corehandf.com/8-benefits-of-functional-training/
Molmen-Hansen HE, Stolen T, Tjonna AE, Aamot IL, Schjerve IE, Tyldum GA, Wisloff U, Ingul CB and Stoylen A. Aerobic interval training reduces blood pressure and improves myocardial function in hypertensive patients. Eur J Prev Cardiol 19(2) : 151-160, 2012.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-hiit#how-to-get-started
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