HIIT Workouts: High Intensity Interval Training for Beginners to Experts
- Derek Parsons
- Mar 15, 2023
- 4 min read
Are you a beginner looking to incorporate some high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into your workout routine? Look no further! In just 10 minutes, you can complete a full-body HIIT workout that will leave you feeling energized and accomplished. HIIT is a great way to improve your overall fitness level, burn fat, and increase your metabolism. Plus, it's a perfect alternative to traditional cardio.

The Perfect HIIT Workout Routine
Step 1: Warm-up (2 Minutes)
Before you begin your HIIT workout, it's essential to warm up your muscles to prevent injury. Start by doing some light cardio exercises such as jogging in place or jumping jacks for two minutes.
Step 2: Squat Jumps (1 Minute)
Squat jumps are a great way to work your legs and get your heart rate up. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower down into a squat position, then jump up explosively. Land softly and repeat for one minute.
Step 3: Plyometric Lunges (1 Minute)
Plyometric lunges are a challenging exercise that works your legs and glutes. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step forward with your right foot, lowering your body down into a lunge position. From the lunge position, jump up explosively and switch your legs mid-air, landing with your left foot forward in a lunge position. Continue alternating legs for one minute.
Step 4: Push-Up with Shoulder Taps (1 Minute)
This exercise combines the classic push-up with an added challenge for your core and shoulders. Start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Lower your body down towards the ground, then push back up to the starting position. Once you're back in the starting position, lift your right hand off the ground and tap your left shoulder. Lower your right hand back down to the ground and repeat the process with your left hand. Continue alternating shoulder taps for one minute.
Step 5: Burpee with Tuck Jump (1 Minute)
This is a challenging variation of the classic burpee exercise. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower down into a squat position, then kick your legs out behind you into a plank position. From the plank position, jump your legs back up to the squat position. Instead of a regular jump at the end, do a tuck jump where you jump up and bring your knees up towards your chest. Repeat for one minute.
Step 6: Box Jumps (1 Minute)
Box jumps are a great way to work your legs, glutes, and explosive power. Stand in front of a sturdy box or bench. Jump up onto the box, landing with both feet firmly on top. Jump back down to the ground and repeat for one minute.
Step 7: Mountain Climbers with Knee Tucks (1 Minute)
This exercise combines mountain climbers with an added challenge for your core. Start in a plank position with your hands and feet on the ground. Bring one knee up towards your chest, then tuck it in towards your opposite elbow. Quickly switch legs and tuck your other knee in towards the opposite elbow. Continue alternating legs for one minute.
Step 8: Cool-Down (2 Minutes)
Finish with a two-minute cool-down by doing some light stretching, such as hamstring stretches or quad stretches.

Why Do HIIT Workouts:
HIIT is a popular and effective form of exercise for people of all fitness levels. It involves short bursts of intense exercise, followed by brief periods of rest or low-intensity activity. HIIT workouts can be done in a short amount of time, making them ideal for people with busy schedules who want to fit in a quick but effective workout.
The Benefits of HIIT Workouts:
One of the benefits of HIIT is that it can burn more calories in a shorter amount of time than traditional cardio exercises like jogging or cycling. According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, people who did a 20-minute HIIT workout burned an average of 15 calories per minute, which is almost twice as many as people who did a 20-minute steady-state cardio workout.
In addition to burning more calories, HIIT can also help increase your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories even when you're not working out. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who did HIIT workouts three times a week for 12 weeks saw an increase in their resting metabolic rate, which is the number of calories your body burns at rest.
Another benefit of HIIT is that it can be a great way to improve your overall fitness level.
HIIT workouts are designed to challenge your body and push it to its limits, which can help you build endurance, strength, and stamina. And because HIIT workouts can be customized to fit your fitness level, they're a great option for people of all fitness levels, including beginners.

The Conclusion:
HIIT is a great alternative to traditional cardio exercises, and it's an excellent way to improve your overall fitness level, burn fat, and increase your metabolism. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, you can customize your HIIT workout to fit your fitness level and achieve your fitness goals in just a few short minutes a day. So what are you waiting for? Give this 10-minute HIIT workout routine a try and start seeing the benefits for yourself!

Feel free to check out the studies and learn more about the benefits of HIIT!
References:
Burgomaster, K. A., Howarth, K. R., Phillips, S. M., Rakobowchuk, M., Macdonald, M. J., McGee, S. L., & Gibala, M. J. (2008). Similar metabolic adaptations during exercise after low volume sprint interval and traditional endurance training in humans. Journal of Physiology, 586(1), 151-160. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.142109 https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/jphysiol.2007.142109
Perry, C. G., Heigenhauser, G. J., Bonen, A., & Spriet, L. L. (2008). High-intensity aerobic interval training increases fat and carbohydrate metabolic capacities in human skeletal muscle. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 33(6), 1112-1123. doi: 10.1139/H08-097 https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/H08-097
Porcari, J. P., Bryant, C. X., Comana, F., & Steffen, J. (2015). Caloric expenditure of aerobic, resistance, or combined high-intensity interval training using a hydraulic resistance system in healthy men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(3), 779-785. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000661 https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2015/03000/Caloric_Expenditure_of_Aerobic,_Resistance,_or.23.aspx
Trapp, E. G., Chisholm, D. J., Freund, J., & Boutcher, S. H. (2008). The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on fat loss and fasting insulin levels of young women. International Journal of Obesity, 32(4), 684-691. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803781 https://www.nature.com/articles/0803781
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