Intro to This Blog Series
Hey there! Welcome back to this short blog series where we unveil the 5 fitness myths. In today's article, we will be covering myth #3: High intensity interval training (HIIT) is better than steady state training.
There is no shortage of social media of all sorts of wild claims about all things related to health, fitness and nutrition. So many of the popular opinions don’t stand tall when confront with the scientific evidence. Short forms of social media are intended to grab your attention. All it takes is less than 60s on social media for you to adapt a false belief about something related to health, fitness, exercise and nutrition. Over the next 5 days we are going to be sharing the 5 Most commonly spreads myths.
I consider these to be mindsets because they shape your behavior. It’s not just something that you believe. Because those beliefs end up affecting your actions or lack of actions.
Let’s continue with this series, introducing Myth #3
Myth #3: High intensity interval training (HIIT) is better than steady state training
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is often regarded as more beneficial than steady-state training for achieving weight loss goals. However, this is actually a myth.
When it comes to cardiovascular exercise, opinions on the matter are diverse. While some individuals advocate for completely avoiding cardio, others propose that sticking to HIIT training is the key to attaining optimal results.
Choosing the Right Cardio Exercise
Engaging in cardiovascular exercise offers a multitude of benefits for heart health and can greatly contribute to achieving and maintaining a fit physique. The ongoing debate between HIIT (such as running hills) and steady-state cardio (like jogging) has been extensively discussed. A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that even if there is a difference, it is not statistically significant in terms of reducing body fat. Consequently, there is no need to choose one over the other.
Instead, it is advisable to select the type of cardio exercise that brings you the most enjoyment and adhere to it consistently. Ultimately, even if there were a slight disparity, it is unlikely that you would adhere to the "superior" option in the long run if you do not enjoy it.
Finding a Balance
A practical approach is to incorporate both HIIT and steady-state cardio into your fitness routine. Designate specific days for steady-state cardio and perhaps reserve one day per week for HIIT training.
It is important to note that HIIT training is more demanding and physically taxing. This means that you may not be able to sustain it for as long as steady-state cardio, and you may require fewer sessions per week. For the majority of individuals, engaging in one or two sessions of HIIT training per week is generally sufficient.