Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training

Live healthy and long

From Dr. Mercola archives | March 22, 2013 

Dr Mercola is a fitness buff and he does the marathon.  He came across Peak Fitness Program in Mexico c/o Phil Campbell.  The came Niles Rickey Wheeler also known as BodyMan47.   He was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 52, recovered and now shares his fitness regimen.  They inspired Mercola further to believe in Peak Fitness Program and HIIT.

HIIT is not new. I came across Interval Training as espoused by Lydiard in middle distance training when I got interested in running way back in l985.  I did not pay much attention to it because it was painful and exhausting.  Now there is a growing evidence to its effectiveness:  you get stronger in as little as  10 to 15 minutes a day regimen, unlike the cardio or one hour aero.

There are two methods:

l.  High intensity sprints done outside the house/gym go all out for 30 secs and rest for 90 seconds about 8 reps;

2.  Using free weights or resistance machine but slowing down the movements. Say do an exercise at much slower rate. If you do it in 4 seconds, do it in 8 seconds.  8 reps for every exercise.

I found this to be tiring and more painful.  But outright, I can see the benefits.

Dr. Doug McGuff MD is also strong proponent of high intensity training interspersed with a day of Recovery.  The High intensity training works on three parts of the adrenals:  salt, sugar, and sex.