HIIT or IT

P

Penfold

New member
Hi,
I am really interested in doing some HIIT as I have always been doing long steady training in the past (i.e. 30 minutes steady pace on the elliptical, or 2-3 mile runs).
At the moment, I don't think I am fit enough to do HIIT properly and I am concerned that I may injure myself.

My question is: Would normal interval training be better than steady state training? This way I could build myself up to doing HIIT.

Would it be better to push myself hard for say 1 minute, then go at a slow pace for a minute, then repeat this cycle a number of times, rather than 30 minutes at a steady pace?

I don't suppose I would get by heart rate up to 90% during the fast stage, but it would be much higher than the steady pace I am doing at the moment and I could build my self up.

Thanks very much for your help.
 
Yes, do the interval training first.
 
Agreed, start off with some interval work and progress to harder and more aggressive intervals as you feel more comfortable.
 
Penfold, here's an example of the type of interval training I've been doing since January.

View attachment 3378

As you can see, some of these are like "mini HIIT" sessions. And during the hour, I end up getting my HR over 90% 14 times.

However, when I first started, I wasn't able to get up to even 85% once. I just keep track of my progress each time, and gradually improve.

I do these routines on an elliptical, but you can do them on any of the cardio equipment. I use a Polar F6 HR monitor, but you can also do it based on perceived exertion.

This is just an example that works very well for me -- you may find something else that's just as good.
 

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LOL, I take that graph into the gym with me to help me pass my previous goals, and people think I'm nuts!
 
Excellent. Thanks for that advice. I will start moving my SS cardio sessions over to interval sessions one at a time and see how I get on.
 
No kidding!

Leigh P. said:
Ha Tom I am going to hire you the next time I need a graph or chart:)
Click to expand...

Tom is Da Man when it comes to detailed statistics and charts.

sirant
 
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