HIIT And How It May Be Causing More Harm Than Good

A new trend that seems to be taking over the fitness world is HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Focusing on high performance, using intensive workouts in a short amount of time, it’s quite a strenuous class. And it seems to be so popular, because of how effective it seems to be by quickly burning calories. It’s a combination of overexertion and excessive stamina, and although the verdict is still out on whether it’s a healthy form of exercise – we have seen a lot more patients complain of severe pain in recent months after HIIT training. Consulting with a Kingsland physio can help determine your fitness level, the effect of HIIT on your body and help you strengthen your body for such rigorous training.

There is exhaustive pressure put on the body during HIIT, so much so that many find themselves completely drained after a workout or throwing up due to the demanding training. And while we can advise patients to exercise with care, there may be some that still find HIIT is the best exercise solution for them. Tired limbs and overworked muscles can be a hassle to work with, but the decision is ultimately up to you as an individual.

Unfortunately, if you find yourself in pain far too often after every session of HIIT, it may be time to reconsider your fitness options. Here are some important questions to ask yourself if you feel unsure about whether you should continue.

1) Are You In Pain All The Time?

Because of the force of HIIT, it’s only natural to feel somewhat tender afterwards. However, if you find yourself still dealing with pain long after your last session, it may be an indication of potential inflammation or nerve damage. If you are regularly frequenting a physio for therapy on your aching body and still find that there is no pain relief, you need to decide how HIIT may be affecting you.

2) Are You Always Trying To Come Up With Excuses? 

Subconsciously, your body may be trying to tell you to slow down if you find yourself always making excuses for missing another HIIT session. Exercise should be regular and consistent, with enough recovery time in between. But missing sessions because you can’t bear the pain that comes afterwards, HIIT may not be the class for you.

3) Are You Taking Time To Recover? 

Because of the almost instantaneous results of HIIT, we find ourselves with patients who train too frequently. Recovery is an important aspect to factor in when exercising because it gives your body time to recuperate after physically exerting itself. If you are one of those individuals who keep heading back to HIIT class, without sufficient downtime, you could end up causing severe damage very quickly.

Getting active should be done in a healthy and manageable way, but if you find yourself limping and screaming out in pain because of how tender your body continually feels – HIIT may not be for you. With guided support to condition and strengthen your body, a Kingsland Physio can improve your impact-resistance overall and help you partake in such training safely. Speak to us at Cairnhill Physiotherapy, to assist you with exercising more effectively and carefully.