Getting Into HIIT

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello!

So basically I’ve been a lazy bastard when it comes to Cardio! But the plan is to change that!

With the LISS style cardio programmed into many of the templates I think I’m quite comfortable with how to get started there to manage the initial stimulus (aka, I’ll likely start on the treadmill, at a brisk walking pace and slowly work my speed up over several sessions while keeping the prescribed RPE)

However i’m less sure about the modality to getting started with the HIIT style training. Given I’ve not really got any practice doing HIIT training I want to ease myself into it over time rather than just go all out and burn out on my first attempts.

FOr example, on of the templates I’ve got in front of me prescribes 16 minutes HIIT, (20s Sprint, 100s Rest).

To ease into this, would you recommend doing fewer rounds of HIIT (for example, doing 8 minutes initially and going up over time from there), or would you recommend shorter sprints (10s?) or longer rests?

Love to hear your thoughts

Cheers

2

I would actually just do the HIIT as programmed, as your pace and performance are rather self limited AND you’ve been doing some prep for this already with the resistance training and LISS. I would pick a modality like a rower, bike, or sled vs. running, however, as they are all lower impact and less demanding from a technical and tissue preparation standpoint.