EFX + HIIT = Suffering
So, I took a second-round stab at the EFX yesterday. Again, trying some interval training at the gym had me a little nervous, and again, the gym was mostly empty, although there were about 5 people within 20 feet of me this time… It wouldn’t be nearly so bad if I was able to breath normally afterwards, but the gasping for breath after each interval is pretty loud. My solution was simple: wear headphones. If I can’t hear myself, I won’t know how loud I’m being, and won’t care as much. It worked beautifully.
However, what didn’t work beautifully was my body. After 3 intervals I was absolutely dying and sweating my guts out. When I looked at most of the other people doing cardio, most of them were simply putting in about 40% effort, sweating a little, mainly just looking bored as they stared at the TVs waiting for their time to be up. Boredom is not something I was experiencing. I think that going full-out on the EFX is harder than anything else, mostly because it grows in difficulty it seems. When you start out there’s resistance, but then you get up to speed and it’s not so bad, so you fire up the pistons and go as hard as you can. But as soon as that 30 second mark hits, you realize how there is absolutely nothing left in the tank. This might be the best way to do HIIT.
As I’ve said before the worst part is trying to keep those things moving while you’re gasping for breath and trying to recover. If you quit moving your feet, the whole machine pauses, which keeps you from seeing the timer, which is how you know when to start up again. I’m going to play around with different ideas, but in the end, I like that it keeps me from completely stopping.
Once again, six intervals, almost died. 234lbs and about 10 minutes of lying on the ground recovering. I’m taking today off and going snowboarding. Not as aerobic, but lots of fun and several hours of it.
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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.