High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn body fat better, study finds

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For many, the journey to shed those last few pounds of stubborn body fat can feel like an uphill battle. You’ve tried various exercises and diets, but the fat just won’t budge.

If you find yourself in this situation, it might be time to consider a game-changing addition to your workout routine: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

According to Professor Zeljko Pedisic of Victoria University in Melbourne, HIIT has the potential to turbocharge your fat-burning efforts.

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine provides compelling evidence that HIIT can significantly increase fat burning during exercise, making it a powerful tool in the fight against persistent body fat.

The Study: Unveiling the Power of HIIT

The study’s authors conducted a comprehensive analysis by pooling data from 18 controlled intervention trials focused on the impact of HIIT on fat burning during exercise.

These trials involved a total of 511 adult participants who engaged in supervised HIIT, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or served as a non-exercising control group.

Key details of the study:

  • Participants were involved in exercise interventions lasting from 2 to 14 weeks.
  • Nearly all studies included three HIIT sessions per week.
  • The study compared the effects of HIIT with those of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and a control group.

The Remarkable Findings: Transforming Your Body into a Fat-Burning Machine

The study’s findings paint a compelling picture of HIIT’s impact on fat metabolism and its potential to revolutionize your fitness journey:

HIIT Elevates Fat Burning: HIIT doesn’t just increase fat burning during HIIT sessions; it enhances your body’s ability to burn fat during various types of physical activities, including brisk walking, swimming, and sports.

Rapid Fat Metabolism Improvement: After just four weeks of HIIT, your fat metabolism will start showing significant improvements, and these benefits continue to grow over time.

Significant Long-Term Impact: Following 12 weeks of HIIT, every minute of physical activity can lead to an additional 0.13 grams of fat burned.

For someone engaging in 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, this translates to burning approximately 10 kilograms of extra fat in a decade.

Enhanced Benefits for Overweight Individuals: Overweight individuals can expect even greater improvements in fat burning compared to those with a “normal” weight.

Efficiency Compared to Aerobic Exercise: While aerobic exercise like jogging can also enhance fat metabolism, it requires a much higher time commitment, and the improvements are typically smaller compared to HIIT.

The Broader Impact: A World of Possibilities

These findings carry significant implications for individuals struggling with excess weight and those aiming to prevent unwanted weight gain over time.

With more than two billion overweight individuals globally, HIIT could be a powerful ally in the battle against obesity and its associated health risks.

Moreover, as HIIT gains popularity and recognition as one of the most effective workout types, it could inspire countless individuals to incorporate this dynamic exercise regimen into their lives.

In conclusion, if you’re not already incorporating HIIT into your fitness routine, it might be time to give it a try.

The potential benefits for your fat metabolism and overall health are too promising to ignore. HIIT can transform your body into a fat-burning machine, helping you achieve your fitness goals more efficiently and effectively.

So, get ready to elevate your workouts and watch your stubborn fat melt away with the power of HIIT.

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The research findings can be found in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.