Our Complete Guide to Owning Your 30-Minute HIIT Workout for Weight Loss

If you have a busy work schedule, or are looking for a new way to get in shape now that gyms are up and running, you have likely heard of HIIT workouts. HIIT workouts are short intervals of high intensity anaerobic activity followed by short periods of rest. These workouts are usually relatively simple and can be done anywhere, sometimes even without equipment. A qualified personal trainer in Pittsburgh can help you create your personalized routine, and then you can take those exercises and practice your HIIT workout wherever you are. Before we begin discussing how you can get started on a HIIT program, let's delve a little deeper into what a HIIT workout is and how short interval exercises will help you burn fat.

What is a HIIT Workout?

Before you start your HIIT workout regimen, ask a personal trainer in Pittsburgh if HIIT is right for your fitness goals

If you have just begun learning about HIIT workouts and their benefits, that’s great! We are here to help you discover the reasons that so many people do HIIT to stay in shape. Before we get ahead of ourselves, we should go over what exactly HIIT means. HIIT stands for high intensity interval training, which means that the exercises are shorter and more intense. HIIT workouts have become popular recently because of how effective they are for staying in shape while maintaining a shorter total workout time. If you don’t have time in your schedule to see a trainer in Pittsburgh multiple times a week, you can always fit a quick 30-minute HIIT workout into your busy schedule. 

And that's about it! All you need is 30 minutes, a HIIT exercise program, and the motivation to start your fitness journey.

Getting Started with Your First HIIT Workout

Take the advice of a personal trainer in Pittsburgh — don’t start off too difficult!

If you are starting your very first 30-minute HIIT workout, there are a few things you should know before you get started. It is extra important to take care of your body while doing these strenuous exercises. Luckily, we have a few tips to get you ready to go for your HIIT workout:

1. Hydrate properly
2. Stay motivated through the whole exercise routine — don’t give up!
3. Remember to warm up fully to avoid potential injuries
4. It is okay to modify exercises, you don’t have to get everything perfectly the first time
5. Fuel your body with the appropriate nutrition so you have energy for your workout

Once you have checked off all of these steps, you are ready to begin your workout! It is important to remember that your first few times trying HIIT will not be perfect — you have to stick with a program to improve over time. 

Pace Yourself and You Can Step up Your Intensity Over Time

Ask your personal trainer in Pittsburgh before adding more difficulty to your 30-minute HIIT workout

Now that you are hydrated and warmed up, it is time to get started with your HIIT workout. Just like with any other workout programs, you need to stay in tune with your body to make sure you are not overexerting yourself. Overexertion at the beginning of a training program can often lead to injury. 

When you are a beginner, it is recommended to start out with 60 minutes of HIIT, or two 30-minute workouts a week. From there, you can begin to ramp up the frequency of your workouts. By starting off with 2 days a week, you can avoid being burned out by attempting to exercise 5 or 6 days a week.

You should also keep in mind that HIIT workouts are usually not very long, since they involve shorter high intensity exercises. Most HIIT workouts will only last between 15-35 minutes, making them the perfect kind of exercise for people who are very busy.

Another extremely important aspect of HIIT to remember is that technique is key. If you are doing exercises too quickly, you may end up sacrificing form for number of repetitions. By focusing on your form, you can prevent injury and ensure that you are targeting the key parts of the body. 

Once You Feel You Are Ready, It’s Time To Give It Your All

As you feel more confident doing HIIT workouts, you can adjust the intensity and personalize the workout to your goals

When you feel like you have mastered the basics of HIIT workouts, you are ready to dial up the difficulty a little bit. If you started with two HIIT workouts per week, you can up that to 3 or 4 days per week. Maybe you feel better doing shorter 15 minute workouts every day — that's wonderful! HIIT workouts are both personal and versatile so you can adjust your workouts to fit your lifestyle.

Remember that when you become more comfortable with HIIT workouts, the goal is to give 90% of your maximum effort. By giving 90% of your effort, you can ensure you are burning fat and increasing your anaerobic exercise capacity.

Now, that you have worked your way up 90% output, you can start reaping the health and wellness benefits of a HIIT workout routine.

If you have questions about beginning a HIIT workout program, you can always consult one of the X Shadyside’s personal trainers in Pittsburgh. With over 50 years of combined experience, our trainers provide the highest quality, results-driven fitness programs for members in any stage of your fitness journey. You can contact X Shadyside today to join one of the best gyms in the city.