What You Need to Tell Your Clients and Friends About HIIT Training

With 2018 on the horizon 2017 has been a memorable year in so many ways. From elections to disasters to all kinds of scientific breakthroughs it’s been one ride after the other. Despite what’s happening outside the industry, it’s important to keep both eyes open in this industry or you’ll miss something. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably heard all about HIIT and the conversations surrounding it.

In case you’re unfamiliar, HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. You’ve probably seen or labored through a HIIT session. It’s nothing short of insane for some and others get a kick out of it. The purposes of a HIIT workout, as touted by some of its advocates, is to torch calories, work as many muscles as possible, and keep your heart rate elevated. A HIIT workout will keep your body pumping, sweating, moving, jumping, and a host of other activities as you gasp for air and feel your heart rate go fluctuate.

HIIT seems to have caught on over the years; this year isn’t the only year that it’s been around. Some will remember many moons ago when HIIT was just a whisper in the gym. People spoke about it, but it hadn’t caught on yet. Workouts then were intense, but they weren’t quite like HIIT training and if people were doing high intensity, it wasn’t given a specific name nor did it have a following.

It’s incredible how things have changed. HIIT went from high intensity workouts to a whole new workout program that even the general public can engage in. Advocates, naturally, stand by the results they’ve gained. These hard, and sometimes over the top, workouts push people to limit; With muscles aching, sweat dripping from every gland, and the lungs fighting to keep breathe in them, some would describe this as a typical HIIT workout.

HIIT may be the best thing since slice bread for some people because this is the break they needed. They need to burn calories and lose the weight quickly so they sign up, log on, or check in to these programs hoping for a change, some praying that they’ll lose the last scraps of stubborn belly fat. While HIIT has done right by many, you guessed it, it isn’t for everyone. The controversy starts with the physical readiness of participants, the intensity, and the exercise choices of said workouts.

While it’s great that a workout program can produce results, one result is becoming increasingly more apparent: Injuries. Injuries are on the rise with these programs for multiple reasons, but the most prominent concerns are the intensity, safety, lack of rest and recovery, sacrifices in form, and burnout are to blame. Many avid gym goers just can’t keep up with these programs and they aren’t ever going too, because some of the workouts aren’t designed with their capacities in mind.

It makes sense that workouts would become more intense. The intensity serves to conquer boredom and pushes the user to achieve their desired results faster. Despite the desired results, the problems that stem from HIIT may not justify the risks and may well outweigh the benefits. Is HIIT a terrible program you should avoid? That’s your call based on what you learn today, but professionals in the fitness industry need to be more aware of who they’re designing and administering these workouts too.

You may have clients that are performing HIIT workouts in classes at home or at your gym. You may involve yourself in programs like this also, but unlike you, they don’t have the guidance or expertise in this area to know when something isn’t working properly and when enough is enough. If you do suspect your clients or friends are engaging in HIIT workouts, make sure you discuss it with them.

First, ensure that they aren’t performing a HIIT workout daily, their body needs time not only to rest but recover. Next, they need lower intensity workouts in between these bouts of high activity to aid recovery. They also absolutely need to hydrate, and take a day off at some point. Exercising hasn’t become more complex it’s just become more marketable, but not everyone is in the market to keep others safe, fortunately, that’s where you come in.

If you’re feeling unconfident in discussing, disputing, or debating points about HIIT, its best you learn more about the pros and cons of the program. Learn about the people taking them and explain what’s missing or what needs to shift in order for them to achieve their results and stay safe. Don’t allow people you care about to waste away at a workout session without properly arming them with the knowledge to maintain proper form, rest, and, overall, stay safe.

Here’s something that will help you on your journey. With NPI’s Certified Resistance Training Professional™ program, you’ll learn how to maintain proper body alignment and you’ll be introduced to which exercises client’s need to be doing and when. We’re giving you the keys to help unlock the potential for serious career growth even before the ball drops on 2018.

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