by Nadia Sinclair

Are you in need of a mental pick-me-up? Engaging your body in a stimulating High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routine could be just the thing you need. The ever-popular HIIT workout, a favorite of top wellness enthusiasts and celebrity trainers alike, is more than just a fitness trend – it’s a game changer for optimizing both physical and mental well-being.

The Health Value of HIIT, According to Fitness Experts

Wellness trainer and head of programming at a top wellness and fitness platform, vouches for the profound weight loss and cardiac health-enhancing benefits of HIIT, attested to by both scientific findings and personal testimonials.

On top of its physical health promoting properties, engaging in HIIT workouts can also be instrumental for maintaining good mental health. According to our fitness expert, “A single session of exercise can sufficiently counter a brief downturn in mood and even chronic conditions stand to gain from the exercise’s uplifting effects.”

HIIT routines function by placing the body under momentary stress, prompting the hypothalamus to produce endorphins that ease pain, discomfort, and anxiety. The result? A ‘natural high’, felt once the workout is over.

A standard HIIT workout merges cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility exercises, which fosters neural and chemical alterations, including the expansion of nerve cells known to enhance cognitive functions.

Here’s a rounded out routine that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility to help you experience these physical and mental benefits:

Get the Most Out of this HIIT Workout

Prior to the workout:

Take around 3 minutes to gently move your joints. Begin by performing simple manoeuvers with your head, wrists, ankles, arms, and legs. Add a few minutes of jogging in place to get your body warmed up and your breathing rate slightly elevated and you’re prepped for the exercise.

Mid-workout:

Attempt as many repetitions of each drill as comfortably possible within 50 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next exercise. Beginners ought to aim for 1 complete set. More experienced exercisers can try for 2 sets. For the fitness enthusiasts, strive for 3 complete sets!

Post-workout:

After finishing your sets, cool down with exercises similar to the warm-up ones to avoid feeling light-headed afterward. Try to stretch out all the major muscle groups, holding each stretch position for 20-30 seconds.

Outlined below is a mood-lifting HIIT workout sequence:

• Toe Tap Sprint
• Thruster
• Weighted Side Lunge
• Depth Jump
• Turkish Get Up
• Press Up Crawl

For a wider array of exhilarating HIIT workouts that you can do at your convenience, check out popular global community wellness and fitness apps.

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