City Fitness : Blog

High-intensity interval training (or HIIT) is becoming an increasingly popular fitness routine for gym goers, especially those who are short on time. But while a HIIT workout may be short (usually around 30 mins, however they can go longer), they are definitely not sweet.

As the name suggest, HIIT training sessions are designed to be high intensity. They combine short bursts of maximum-effort work (about 20 to 90 seconds), followed by a period of low-intensity recovery, and they’re a super effective way to get your cardio in and burn a lot of fat in a short amount of time.

If you’re looking to get into a HIIT routine, here’s a great 10-minute workout to get you started. But remember, because HIIT routines are so intense, they should not be done every day as it could lead to overtraining and increased risk of injury. Now, let’s sweat!

10-minute HIIT workout

You have two minutes to complete each circuit. Do all of the moves as quickly as possible (while keeping proper form) because whatever time is left in that two-minute interval is your opportunity to rest. After that, the clock immediately starts over and you do it all again.

Complete two minute circuit a total of five times.

1. Burpees - 5 reps

2. Push ups - 10 reps

3. Plank jacks - 15 reps (start in high plank and jump feet out and in like you are doing jumping jacks)

4. Jump squats - 20 reps

5. Rest - remaining time

If you’re looking for a guided HIIT workout, drop by CityFitness Moorhouse, Northwood, Nelson or Lyall Bay and try our CityHIIT class.