How HIIT Workouts Maximize Fat Burning

If your busy and need to maximize your workout efficiency than HIIT workouts may be right for you. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It basically means you work hard for short bursts of activity and rest, then repeat. A typical HIIT workout lasts from 10-15 minutes.
HIIT workouts are so effective at burning fat because the short bursts of activity cause the body to release Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This substance increases metabolism and triggers the body to break down fat while also improving muscle growth. This is a double benefit because the more lean muscle mass you have the higher your resting metabolism and thus the more fat you burn at rest.
While there are many variations of HIIT the workouts I tend to favor and think work the best are ones that emphasize using your body weight and mixing in a few free weights. This blend of exercises will stress the cardiovascular system and the muscles causing the biggest spike in HGH and thus give you the best results.
A typical HIIT workout that I use would look something like this

20 seconds pushups, 20 seconds body weight squats, 20 seconds high knees
2 minutes rest
Repeat 3 cycles.

Notice in this variation there are no free weights but as you increase the number of cycles you complete and increase your fitness level it is easy to add holding a 5lb weight while doing the squats and the high knees. Also, if you are not comfortable with one of the exercises you can easily switch it out with another like jumping jacks, planks, burpees or any other exercise you can go full blast for 20-30 seconds.

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