High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Sometimes known as sprint interval training, HIIT is a workout whereby you train at maximum intensity for short bursts, otherwise know as intervals, and cycle between maximum intensity intervals and longer, medium intensity intervals.
A simple way of doing this is to get yourself warmed up by jogging for a few minutes. If you believe in stretching before exercise, do so (I personally don’t, I usually stretch after exercise). Once warmed up, you should then aim to do 6 - 8 cycles of high intensity and medium intensity intervals.
If you liken the high intensity interval to be maximum speed, sprinting, then the medium intensity interval should be a comfortable jog, a pace that you would be able to run a long distance at.
Your high intensity interval should be approximately 30 seconds long, followed by a 60 second medium intensity interval, thus giving a total of 90 seconds per full cycle. If you aim to do this six times, and work your way up to 8 times you will notice a big difference in your ability to recover.
Once you’ve achieved this level, you can make it harder by adding additional cycles, increasing the jog speed or even making the high intensity interval longer, though don’t make it as long as the recovery interval.
