HIIT vs. Steady State Cardio

HIIT and Steady State Cardio are two popular workouts you may have heard of. If you haven’t, let me explain. HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is an intense burst of exercise, followed by short resting periods. This type of exercise keeps you active, keeps your heart rate up, and burns more fat in a short period of time. It increases the body’s need for oxygen at the moment, therefore burning more calories and fat than regular aerobic workouts. 

 

 

Steady State Cardio is a simple, continuous workout. It’s different from other interval cardio workouts, which typically mix in different movements and require different energy outputs throughout. Steady State Cardio usually lasts anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes for beginners and 20 to 90 minutes for fit/experienced individuals. The main focus of this workout is to increase endurance while burning fat. While it doesn’t burn as much fat as quickly as a HIIT workout, the purpose is to take things slowly to build endurance.

 

 

Whether you are trying to lose weight or simply get fit, adding cardio is crucial to your workout routine. Cardio burns the most calories, as well as strengthening the muscles, lungs, and heart.

 

 

Here are a few pros and cons of HIIT and Steady State Cardio to help you determine which one, if either, suits you the best:

 

 

HIIT Pros:

 

 

A HIIT workout is relatively short, typically lasting less than ten minutes per session. So if you have a busy schedule and really want to maximize your workout, this is a definite plus.

 

 

It also helps lower blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart. Furthermore, it does well at targeting belly fat; you are working out your entire body, eventually giving you a better tone. Lastly, this whole-body workout improves your performance with other workouts or sports.

 

 

HIIT Cons:

 

 

A HIIT workout is not beginner-friendly, as it requires a lot of energy from an individual. This can easily lead to burnouts, and it carries a higher risk of injury, especially for beginners.

 

 

Steady State Cardio Pros:

 

 

You place less stress on your body in general. It improves overall health and is more enjoyable. Because this workout is more relaxed than HIIT, recovery time is faster. It also helps increase endurance.

 

 

Steady State Cardio Cons:

 

 

Steady State Cardio can be fun at first, but it’s more time-consuming, and thus requires more commitment to continue routinely. It’s fixed and steady, lacking variety. In addition, you may experience a weight loss plateau because it does not push your body hard enough over time.

 

 

 

In the end, you should really consider your fundamental goals in order to maximize your workout experience. If you want to lose weight, then HIIT would be your best route. If you want to train for a marathon, then Steady State Cardio would be your best choice. Overall, whether you try HIIT or Steady State Cardio, you know you are at least taking action to improve your body and overall health. We hope this helps…and remember never to be afraid; just take action and let your Actions Peak!