I’m often asked about fat loss.  Literally, several dozen times a day. I’m quizzed about magical foods, starving oneself, the best supplements, drugs and surgeries and marathon sessions on the treadmill.

Now I agree there are many factors that could come into play when one attempts to drop weight or body fat.  Your daily nutrition, overall lifestyle and training experience are key factors.  Since I’m a trainer, my opinion on the best exercises or my favourite regimen is frequently regarded as sacrament.  But one aspect often overlooked in this advice is the intensity that I prescribe.  I want you to “workout” with sweat dripping, breathless, shake-your- fist- at-the-sky, deodorant-busting intensity.

Really.

One of the best ways to accomplish this deliberate attempt to push past your comfort zone is with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).  HIIT is performed with high burst of work (90-95%) of maximum heart rate followed by a stint of active recovery or moderate work.  This protocol of roller coaster sprinting to walking increases EPOC (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption) which studies have shown to burn more calories after a workout than regular steady-state cardio.

This means you burn more calories while sitting on your ass after you’re done at the gym.

Here are some of the benefits:

• Faster workouts than conventional cardio routines
• Improved VO2 max
• Avoids muscle catabolism (breakdown and loss of muscle tissue)
• Increased metabolism
• Improved endurance and stamina
• Quicker fat loss

HIIT workouts are tough but incredibly beneficial.  You can shake up your regular cardio routine, spend less time and get impressive results.  If you’ve never done a HIIT workout please be sure to warm up properly and that you’re ready for a heart pounding workout.  If not, ask a trainer about HIIT and how you can get started.