The fitness world is constantly consumed with what seems like thousands of fads.

Whether its fashion such as the 80s workout clothes, diets such as the juice cleanse, equipment like the shake weight, or workouts like the Jane Fonda videos.

Normally, when I see advertisements for fitness fads such as these I pass them by because I know that they will soon be gone and the next one will appear. However, recently I have become completely invested in a recent fitness trend: HIIT.

HIIT is “high intensity interval training” and I know that I seem biased, but I truly think that this is more than just a fad. There are three reasons why I think that HIIT is a long lasting fitness staple: its customizability, its ability for community and individuality, and its opportunity.

Firstly, HIIT is extremely customizable. I am willing to bet that any type of exercise that you enjoy to do, there is a HIIT alternative to it. For example, there are HIIT swimming circuits, treadmill exercises, and weightlifting. HIIT is a adaptive to you and can truly fit into any lifestyle. HIIT is known for burning more calories than any other exercise. This is because your muscles are working so quickly so you burn a lot of calories after the exercise is over.

Secondly, HIIT builds communities but also flourishes individuality. At college, I go to about 2-4 HIIT classes per week at the gym near my dorm. Since I go at a relatively similar time each time, I have made friendships with some of the other people who frequently come. Its encouraging and motivating to not only be with a group while working out, but to know that when you go to your 3:30 class that you aren’t alone and you have people to say hi and encourage throughout the workout. However, HIIT also encourages individuality. Even though you can do things in a class setting, the instructors almost always give alternatives so that you can do what feels right for your body. Also, you can do HIIT even without a group. There are websites and apps that compile HIIT workouts that you can play on your phone and do in the comfort of your own home or even your local gym. It’s one of those workouts that you wish wasn’t so simple because there really is no excuse not to do it.

Lastly, HIIT provides a lot of room for opportunity. With HIIT exercises there is so much room to grow. I think that the best way to grow and improve is by doing a class. The instructors will give you the basic structure of the class and then can give you modifications to each workout, either to make it easier or harder. In the classes that I do there are also ways to improve by using different weights or going at different speeds or even by changing the move to add an additional movement. HIIT is so versatile and I believe that anyone can do it.

I have been doing HIIT for about a year now, but the more that I learn about it the more that I realize that I might have been doing HIIT without even realizing it.

See you on the next stop 🙂