Friends may be mad at you if you encourage them to HIIT
The guy I lift weights with was on vacation when I started high intensity interval training. He’s in pretty good shape and does some serious cycling. He can destroy me on the climbs and has proven to have some great lungs. So, when he heard about my training he said he was going to give it a shot and I was totally scared he’d dominate it and laugh at me. He sent me this email two days ago describing his most recent attempt at HIIT.
So today was my second attempt. I stretched well. Warmed up well. (side note: my wife just put a wet paper towel on my forehead. I’m spinning right now.) and I went in knowing that my 90% would be more like 70-75%.
First sprint: 75%. Felt great. Went for 40 seconds.
Then 30 seconds went by in 2 seconds so I waited for 2 minutes. No jogging, just walked.
Second sprint: 65%. Went for 27 seconds, looked at watch, cursed and pretended to run for another two.
3 minute walk.
Third sprint: 60%. Ran for 24 seconds. shoulder hurt. Remember wondering why my shoulder hurt. decided modern medicine can take care of fat people so why work so hard to be skinny.
5 minute walk. checked heart rate, lost count somewhere around 218.
Last sprint: maybe 50%. was more like one of those jogs people do when crossing a crosswalk when the light is green and they pick up their heels and shuffle their arms to make it look like they are moving fast.
The HIIT program says to work your way up to 15 sessions after 8 weeks. my goal, if all goes well, is to work my way up to week one.
Feel free to post this on your website so that other may learn from my mistake.
PS-You’re evil.
Feb 21st 2008
hi how long should hiit last on a bike?
May 10th 2008
I use to be just like that. I talked to this personal trainer one day and he said the best way to stay motivated is to make a journal of exactly what you do every single day. Honestly it really work when I looked at it on paper it was different. When you see no improvement on paper in terms of reps, sets, and distance and haven’t done anything you feel like a lazy asshole that day then get motivated to get on them running shoes and pull out the wieghts.
Aug 14th 2008
Hi, I did a google on HIIT as I want to add it to my routine. Like you, I hated running. Notice the past tense. I now like running because I’m now on a hormonally balanced diet called the Zone Diet. You can google it for more information, but it is a moderate, balanced diet that yields amazing results. Joslin Diabetes Centers recommends a diet that is almost identical. Dr. Sears, the creator, has worked with athletes that have brought home 24 gold medals. Jenny Thompson was the most prolific Zoner medalist and her count was just surpassed by Michael Phelps a day or two ago.
Christian Vande Velde is a Zoner - he recently finished 5th in the Tour de France.
I’d also recommend spending some google time on “pose running.” It has helped me a lot, but takes some time to get your calf muscle strong enough to support the work load.
I’m a decade your senior and I feel better than ever - and I mean this factually. I really really do feel better than ever. I effortlessly lost 25+ lbs of fat while adding ~70 lbs to my bench press - I started pretty weak.
My foundation is the Zone Diet, pose running is a great tool and I hope to add HIIT as another tool in my arsenal.
Best of luck in your exercise adventures.