The Benefits of Sprint Interval Training

What if you could bring your body to peak performance in less than 20 minutes at a time? Better still, what if you only had to work out 3 times a week? Get ready for a special treat; there is a way you can make it happen.

Thanks to High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), you can get fit faster than you would with regular exercise. You can use this method to burn fat and increase strength at a rapid rate. In fact, you could see tangible results in a couple of weeks. If you stick with HIIT for at least 6 weeks, you will get your body into the best shape of your life.

To get started, it's great to run short sprints. Why? Because that's the fastest way to make your body stronger than ever. Think about it; sprinters are some of the most powerful athletes we have today. Plus, the benefits of HIIT will spill over into other areas of your life. Here is a deeper look at why you should do sprint interval training.

Increase your stamina and fitness levels 

Doing HIIT the right way requires you to push your body to its limits. Your heart rate will shoot up very close to its maximum level. During your recovery periods, the body will try to compensate for the effort you have exerted. It will then build itself up so you can handle harder levels of physical exercise.

You will also increase your body's capacity to use high amounts of oxygen. You will then be able to do higher levels of exercise without increasing your heart rate. Of course, this means that you can push yourself even harder - and see the next level of results!

Another important aspect of sprint interval training is building lean muscle mass. Your legs are made of the biggest muscles in your body. During your training, there will be some tear in the muscle tissue - that's normal. The body will then become stronger as the muscle tissue gets repaired. Part of the fuel used in the repair comes from the fats stored in your body. Which brings you to the next crucial benefit of HIIT.

Burn fat at a rapid rate 

One of the biggest benefits of HIIT is that it helps you burn fat at a rapid rate. For the first few minutes of the workout, your body will tend to rely on your glucose supplies. But, as you keep going, your body turns into a fat-burning furnace. The high-intensity workout will melt away that fat faster than you can say "HIIT!"

After you're done, the body doesn't stop getting rid of the fat. It will keep using it as fuel whilst repairing your body. Over time, this will reduce your fat levels to a much healthier amount.

You will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as well. Many studies have shown that HIIT reduces the risk of heart-related death. So, you can expect to live a longer, happier life. 

Develop your mental strength 

Mental strength is a crucial part of being a high-achiever. Without it, you'll find it hard to conquer challenging goals. You will also struggle when it comes to making positive changes in your life.

But, mental strength can be developed. The focus required during your HIIT sessions will force you to build up your mental stamina. The battle you fight with your mind will equip you with skills to win in other aspects of your life.

Right from your first session, you will feel a boost in confidence and perseverance. It takes some self-control to maintain the heart rate at 85 - 95% of its maximum. If you are able to do this, you will have a superior level of self-discipline. 

With the right approach, you can steadily increase the range of challenges you can bear. Your brain will naturally adjust as you push yourself through each sprint. The best part is, your refreshed focus will stay with you after you're done with the workout. You will get more done while feeling less emotional stress.

What is the best way to get started with HIIT? 

Sprinting is great because you don't need any equipment. It's just you and your running shoes. It's easiest to get going when you have a guide you can follow.  That's where the Sprinterval app does the heavy lifting for you. What you get is an easy-to-follow workout that increases in intensity. If you're a beginner, it's a perfect way to start building up your fitness.

The app will work with you over the course of six weeks. The workouts themselves last less than 20 minutes. The key here is that you'll get the same results ( or better! ) as if you had spent hours jogging.

If you want to take your fitness to the next level, sprint interval training is your answer. The workouts are so short, you can fit it into your weekly schedule with ease. Start using the Sprinterval app today. You will get stronger so fast, you'll wish you discovered it sooner!