FORUMS > Cardio Training Forum Rules

So, I finally decided to man up and try some HIIT cardio yesterday. Normally, I do hour-long cycle/spin classes.

For my first session, I decided to do a warm-up, followed by an 8-minute Tabata session (alternating 20-seconds at near-max effort, followed by 10-seconds at mid-range effort). I used the elliptical machine, just because I have a trick knee and wanted to reduce the chances that my first HIIT session would aggravate it.

I have to say... it was a good experience, and I'm definitely going to build it into my workout schedule. I tried to push myself hard enough that I just couldn't continue after the session (leave nothing on the table!).

The only thing that felt weird was being in and out of the gym so fast. I was home an hour earlier than normal!*

I might just be a convert!


* = because not only was the workout faster than the cycle class, but I didn't have to wait for the class to start.

uh huh.. and you don´t get extra marks for being longer in the gym.

I know a lot of you guys really love HIIT and that's great.

But as a big guy myself I have knee issues that I have to be careful with. I tried jumping rope, then sprinting. After just two times I fucked up my knees in different areas that took months to heal. I have to be careful.

I do like HIIT as it's briefer and has a variety in terms of pace.

But I can also use the time to study my Spanish when I'm on a treadmill for 30 to 40 minutes. So I'm multi-tasking. Works for me.

I went back for round #2 of HIIT cardio yesterday... decided that I didn't have any problem with my knees the first time, so I would try moving to the treadmill (instead of the elliptical) for this session.

This time, I alternated 30 seconds at near-max effort and 30 seconds at mid-range effort, for 8 cycles (after a 5-minute warmup).

I was seriously winded and had a stitch/cramp in my side for the first time in years. The HIIT is clearly pushing me harder than the cycle/spin classes have been.

Still no knee issues, so I may stick with the treadmill for my HIIT, since it responds to changes in speed faster than the elliptical did.

I am more and more convinced that HIIT cardio is going to become a regular part of my routine.

I love HIIT. I leave the treadmill drenched in sweat after 15 minutes of it while people that were on before I got on, and still going at it while I'm hobbling away, barely look tired.

haha I injured myself from doing HIIT stairs two weeks ago (Not just the HIIT:. it was general overload, but I destroyed the balance of what I was doing with the HIIT).... I´m fatter than I was before So less often is going to be the ticket for me

@Lostboy: How often have you been doing HIIT? I just started, but I'm targeting 2-3 times per week.

I like HIIT, find it works best for me on the cross-trainer. I have done it as often as three times a week. Best results I ever got from it was a programme I got out of Muscle & Fitness a few months ago, that put 8-12 minute HIIT sessions in between sets of weights, so you did up to 3 of them per work-out. It was brutal, but the results were noticeable within four weeks.

You should see results in about 4 weeks with either HIIT or low intensity fat burning (working at a 65% target heart for longer periods). Either one gives you results so long as diligence is carried out and reasonable diets are followed.

FitExecutive said@Lostboy: How often have you been doing HIIT? I just started, but I'm targeting 2-3 times per week.

mm... started about 12 years ago. It´s a wagon I get on and fall off. I prefer other things.

I am finding spin classes the best for burning body fat and really shaping and adding muscle to my legs and bum as an added bonus too. It is true like all interval training when you first start you feel like being punched in the gut at regular intervals and your legs ache and you swear you never are gonna do it again, but like a whipped guy in love hard you come back for more lol

If you stick with it and have a strict diet and added weights a couple or three times a week you should see results pretty quickly.