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As more and more studies come out about the effectiveness of high intensity interval training (HIIT), it’s becoming an increasingly popular style of working out.
And there's no big surprise why. While more regular moderate intensity workouts may take 45 minutes or more to do and are easy to plateau in, HIIT workouts will get you fitter, faster and in better shape in no more than 10 or 20 minutes just a few times a week.
Sure, they'll leave you dripping in sweat and make you feel like your heart is going to pound out of your chest, but all that hard work gets addicting once you see how quickly HIIT workouts get you results.
Here are 7 signs you're addicted to HIIT:
1. You work out even when you're on vacation.
Since your workouts only take 10 to 20 minutes, you know you have no excuse not to do them, even while traveling. Plus, working out on vacation means you can enjoy an extra treat or two here and there, knowing you'll just burn it off later.
2. You've replaced all your old workouts with HIIT-style ones.
No more wasting hours on the treadmill or sitting aimlessly between weight sets — your workouts are now as efficient, short and effective as possible. Because you’ve got better things to do than sit around in the gym, right?
3. You can't understand why anyone would spend more than 20 minutes working out.
Every time you go to the gym, you want to tell every person slowly pedaling on the elliptical machines and recumbent bikes that they could ditch their slow, time-consuming cardio workouts altogether and get in and out of the gym in less time — with much better results.
5. You've completely ditched fancy workout equipment and machines.
Whether you’re sprinting, jump roping, or doing bodyweight exercises, you know it doesn’t take much equipment in order to get an awesome HIIT workout, so you no longer bother with the complicated, fancy stuff. All you need is a jump rope, maybe a box to jump on and a pull-up bar, and you’re good to go.
In fact, you know you can work out anywhere, any time — even with zero equipment.
6. You have trouble taking a day off from training.
You used to dread going to the gym since it took so much time out of your day, but that all changed with HIIT. You love the sweaty rush it gives you and how one quick workout can make you feel like you’ve conquered the world.
And even though you know you need to take a rest day at least once a week to let your body heal and repair, you can’t wait for tomorrow to roll around so you can finally work out again.
7. You're way more badass now than you ever thought possible.
You used to look at tough exercises like box jumps, push ups and pull ups like they were absolutely impossible, but now you know that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, no matter how difficult it seems at first.
Krista Stryker, NSCA-CPT is the author of The 12-Minute Athlete: Get Fitter, Faster, and Stronger Using HIIT and Your Bodyweight and a leading expert on high intensity interval training (HIIT) and bodyweight fitness. She currently lives in Venice, California, and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
From trying her first push up in college, to teaching herself to do pull ups and handstands, Krista is living proof of her philosophy that everybody is an athlete. She has helped tens of thousands of people to unlock their full athletic potential through her 12 Minute Athlete HIIT Workouts app and 12 Minute Athlete blog. You can find her @12minuteathlete on all social platforms.