HIIT: Practical Guide to Doing It Right (and Knowing When Not To)

HIIT: Practical Guide to Doing It Right (and Knowing When Not To)

The word HIIT appears everywhere, but many routines sold as HIIT are simply "hard cardio." The nuance matters: if you do it right, it can be very useful; if you do it wrong (or too much), it can leave you fried and without progress.

In 30 Seconds

• HIIT means truly intense intervals + breaks; it's not "doing many reps fast."
• Start with low volume: 6–12 minutes of total intense work is usually more than enough at the beginning.
• 1–2 sessions/week usually fits well with strength training and normal life.
• Signs of excess: worse sleep, chronic heavy legs, performance drop, irritability.
• If you have medical concerns or are starting from scratch, better to progress with moderate cardio first.

What HIIT Is (and What It Isn't)

What it is: short (or medium) intervals at a high intensity for you, alternated with breaks that allow you to repeat quality.
What it isn't: an endless circuit at the limit where your technique breaks down and you're just "surviving."

The difference is noticeable in execution: in well-planned HIIT, the goal is to sustain intensity in a controlled way, not to wreck yourself.

Realistic Benefits

In many people, HIIT can:

• Improve cardiovascular capacity in less time than long sessions.
• Improve effort tolerance and aerobic "power."

But it's not a magical shortcut for fat loss (that depends mainly on total energy and adherence).

How to Start (Without Dying Trying)

Choose a modality that is kind to your joints:

• Bike, row, elliptical, gentle hills, brisk walking with incline.

A simple example:

• 6–8 rounds of 20 seconds "hard" + 100–120 seconds easy.
• 5–10 minutes of warm-up before.

Increase only one variable every 1–2 weeks (rounds, interval duration, or cutting rest).

Common Mistakes

• Doing HIIT when you're sleeping little: the recovery cost skyrockets.
• Doing it 4–5 days/week "because it burns": usually ends in fatigue and stagnation.
• Choosing technical exercises under fatigue (jumps or complex lifts) if you haven't mastered the technique.

Conclusion

HIIT works when it's dose-response: little, well done, and with recovery. If you use it as a tool (and not as a punishment), it can fit perfectly into a healthy plan.

If you want to share routines or questions, you can join the community at https://www.clipin.fit.

Note: if you have a heart history, hypertension, anxiety, or take medication, consult a professional before doing high-intensity training.