You may have heard the term at the gym, but do you know exactly what HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is, or why it’s so good? We asked PT Bradley Simmonds to explain why we should all be including HIIT into our exercise regimes and how to begin. “HIIT is one of the most beneficial forms of workouts you can do. You can perform a HIIT workout anywhere at any time – 30 minutes is all you need. By completing each exercise for 30 seconds with a 30-second rest, you can target every single muscle. If done correctly and at a good intensity, it’s a great fat burner and ideal for those looking to lose weight. To get started, I’d suggest exercising alongside someone who has experience with HIIT, as this will help motivate you as well as ensure you are performing each exercise correctly. Start off with a 10-minute workout to build your fitness before pushing yourself to 30 minutes.”
Here are Bradley’s top five moves:
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Squats
- These are great to strengthen and tone your legs and glutes. Like any exercise, it’s important to perform these with correct form to prevent any stress on the wrong muscle group. Perform with a straight back and a tight core, making sure your knees don’t over pass your toes.
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Lunges
- This move strengthens and tones your legs and you can perform different variations to really target your glutes. Jumping lunges are a more advanced version of the exercise that’s great for fat burning.
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Burpees
- This is the best exercise to get your whole body working. It’s probably the most challenging, yet effective move that you can do. Begin with your chest to the floor, then use your upper body to get into a squat position, before jumping up high with the power of your legs.
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Mountains climbers
- This exercise is perfect for burning fat and for toning your abs. Perform it in a full plank position, ensuring your core is tight and your back doesn’t collapse. Drive your knees into your chest, starting off slowly before picking up the pace.
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Push ups
- I think this is the best way to strengthen your upper body during a HIIT session. Keep your elbows tight to your body and your hands shoulder-width apart, making sure that your chest is touching distance from the floor. It’s important that you work your core as you don’t want your back to collapse. Start on your knees to master the technique before performing the advanced movement.
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If you want to learn HIIT from Bradley himself, head to the Tilda Urban Tri:Try event between the 6th and 8th June at Lumiere London, an exciting combination of HIIT, yoga, and recipe demonstrations from a line-up of industry experts. Visit eventbrite to get your ticket.}
