the sports hype of the moment
Quarter past six. With a sigh, I turn off my alarm. Why am I doing this again? And how can half an hour in the morning make such a difference? It suddenly felt like the middle of the night; there wasn't a tourist in sight on the street (and believe me: there is always a lost suitcase in front of my door).
It was that time again: I signed up for a challenge once more. This time no pills or vegan detox, but a workout challenge. A month long four days a week of HIIT training at my friends from HIGH45. Trading my old trusty gym for four weeks for Skillmills, plyoboxes, dumbbells, and an ultra-toned teacher. Something with a week of sun in May on the agenda, and that means being bikini-proof in, HELP, eight weeks' time. Now week one is almost over and believe me, girlfriend: this is why you also want to set that alarm for quarter past six like crazy.
- HIIT is a combination of cardio and strength training. No fussing around with abdominal exercises in the living room after your run. Just two birds with one stone.
- The heart rate-boosting cardio exercises ensure accelerated fat burning. We want that.
- During a HIIT workout, you go all out. Just when you're gasping for that last breath, your metabolism kicks into high gear. This means you burn more calories during your workout.
- Those little fats are not only burned during the workout; hours after the workout, your body is still working.
- Enjoy finishing your chocolate bar at your desk; after all, you're still burning calories. Just kidding, right?
- At the moment you go all out, all your muscles have to work harder. And thus, the most important thing happens: your heart gets a boost.
- The exercises are available at different levels. You decide how hard you want to make it. With dumbbells or your own body weight; the choice is yours.
- HIIT engages all the muscles in your body.
- Every workout is different, so it won't get boring quickly.
- You do a lot of exercises in a short time. Not a fan of burpees? Those thirty seconds go by in a flash.
- HIIT workouts are extremely effective for strength and muscles. You will see results very quickly.
- You are done in 45 minutes. Not having time is no longer an excuse.
See you tomorrow morning at seven o'clock?
