High-intensity workouts are designed to maximise effort over a short period, providing numerous fitness benefits. These workouts typically involve a combination of cardiovascular, strength, and functional exercises performed at near-maximum effort with minimal rest between sets.
Types of High-Intensity Workouts
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Structure: Alternates between short bursts of intense activity and recovery periods.
- Example: 30 seconds of sprinting followed by 30 seconds of walking, repeated for 20-30 minutes.
- Benefits: Improves cardiovascular health, increases calorie burn, and enhances metabolic rate.
- Tabata Training
- Structure: Consists of 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for 4 minutes.
- Example: 20 seconds of burpees, 10 seconds rest, repeated for 8 rounds.
- Benefits: Enhances aerobic and anaerobic fitness, increases endurance, and improves metabolic function.
- CrossFit Workouts
- Structure: Functional movements performed at high intensity, often incorporating elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning.
- Example: “Fran” (21-15-9 reps of thrusters and pull-ups).
- Benefits: Builds strength, power, flexibility, and overall fitness.
Key Benefits of High-Intensity Workouts
- Efficiency: High-intensity workouts are time-efficient, making them ideal for those with busy schedules. They can provide significant health benefits in shorter periods compared to moderate-intensity exercise
- Improved Cardiovascular Health: These workouts enhance cardiovascular function and endurance by challenging the heart and lungs to work harder during intense exercise bouts
- Increased Metabolic Rate: High-intensity exercise increases the metabolic rate for hours post-workout, known as the afterburn effect or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC)
- Muscle Building and Fat Loss: The combination of strength and cardio in high-intensity workouts helps build lean muscle mass while promoting fat loss, leading to improved body composition
- Versatility and Adaptability: High-intensity workouts can be tailored to different fitness levels and goals. They can be performed with minimal equipment and adjusted to various settings, from gyms to home workouts
At CrossFit Marrickville, we incorporate HIIT sessions into some of our workouts allowing you to see the benefits of this style of training. We have specific classes ‘Sunday’s Vigour’ sessions that adopt these principles.
If you would like to attend a FREE trial to see the benefits of these sessions CLICK HERE.
