When you’re first starting your fitness journey, you may want to ask yourself what you can handle realistically. And if you’re anything like me, you will try to learn about the various available physical fitness programs that may fit your needs. However, without really knowing what they are, an internet search will provide you with thousands of different workout routines. And all will guarantee results, yet none will tell you how difficult they really are and what kind of commitment it really takes to achieve results.
Today, we’re going to discuss three types of fitness programs you may have heard while talking to a fitness instructor or to a friend who is currently enrolled in a health and fitness class. They are:
What is HIIT training?
HIIT is short for high-intensity interval training. According to VOX, HIIT workouts generally combine short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise. At fitness studios and online, these workouts often mix aerobic and resistance training.
When you think about it, imagine running as hard as you can for a few minutes and then slowing down to complete cool-down or rest period and then doing it again. This can apply to any physical activity you are performing, whether it is biking, jumping rope, climbing stairs.
What equipment is needed for HIIT workouts?
When thinking about what high intensity workouts may look like, it is good to know that their is no special equipment needed to perform such a workout. However, some of the best HIIT workouts may include running in place or on a track. Although running may be considered stale to some, we found that biking or jump roping in high intervals can be fun and more challenging. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to start with running in place to reduce your risk of injury.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a HIIT Workout (Pros & Cons)
If you’re pressed for time but want to see impressive results from your exercise sessions without spending hours in the gym, HIIT could be the exercise for you.
The Advantages of HIIT Workouts
HIIT is fast paced and takes less time to do because you’re required to put in maximum effort into the routine followed by short breaks. You finish feeling just as you would if you had put in a couple of hours at the gym.
HIIT helps you burn fat. Numerous studies found that HIIT helps you consume more oxygen than a non-interval workout routine, which helps increase your metabolism rate after a session. This increased metabolic rate is what helps you to burn calories and fat at a faster rate.
No equipment required. Although you can incorporate weights and machinery into your workout, no equipment is required, so you can easily exercise at home. Doing exercises like push-ups, burpees and lunges means you’re only working against your own body weight.
The Disadvantages of HIIT Workouts
Not suitable for the elderly. As HIIT training is so intense you need a basic level of fitness to take part. If you’re not used to exercising the workout could cause undue stress on your heart.
Risk of injury. As you’re moving at such a fast speed your form may not be correct on some of the exercises, so make sure you know how to position yourself. If in doubt, ask a personal trainer or a member of gym staff for advice.
What is Pilates?
Prestige defines Pilates as a type of exercise that focuses on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness through controlled movements and was created in the 1920s by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates for rehabilitation purposes. His method was influenced by other forms of exercise, including gymnastics and boxing.
What does that all mean? It means, Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles and focuses on the conditioning your core body for postural alignment and improved flexibility. Pilates is considered easy on the joints and uses a variety of mat exercises to increase your flexibility.
Some Pilates routines also incorporate exercise machines and equipment like medicine balls to up the intensity, but you don’t need them to get started. All you really need is a gym mat, which makes Pilates an ideal exercise to do at home.
What equipment is required for Pilates workouts?
A Pilates workout can be modified or adjusted to meet the individual’s needs. By using Pilates equipment, an exercise can be made safer or can protect someone from further injury or a future injury. This can be done at home or in the studio with a certified Pilates instructor.
Many different pieces of Pilates equipment can be used during a fitness workout such as a Pilates ball, a magic circle, a foam roller, ankle weights, a reformer, or an arc barrel. The best Pilates equipment is that that is chosen specifically for an individual by a certified Pilates instructor and based on what each individual can handle.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Pilates workout (Pros & Cons)
If you’ve never tried Pilates before, you may be wondering if it’s the right type of workout for you. Below you will find a few pros and cons of this popular workout.
The Advantages of Pilates
No equipment is necessary for the basics. However, depending on the type of Pilates workout you are doing you may find that you may need an item or two. Pilates generally requires minimal equipment, so it’s a great exercise regimen to try at home. All you really need to get started is a gym mat and comfortable clothes you can stretch in.
Low Impact. Pilates exercises focus on gently stretching and strengthening your muscles through slow, controlled movements. Unlike burpees and other high-intensity exercises, they aren’t hard on your knees. Most Pilates moves are performed lying or sitting down on a padded mat, which helps take stress off of your joints.
Improves your flexibility, posture, and balance. A recent study showed that practicing Pilates for just eight weeks can increase your flexibility. The study also found that Pilates improves static balance, which is your ability to hold yourself in place in certain positions.
The Disadvantage of Pilates
It skips out on cardio, so it’s not great for steady weight loss. If you are keen to lose weight steadily and want to see quick results, Pilates may not be the exercise regime for you. Pilates is considered an anaerobic exercise, which means it is not the ideal choice for weight loss. While Pilates definitely helps to strengthen and build muscles, it is not the ideal cardiovascular workout. In fact, running or swimming provides a more suitable cardiovascular workout for steady weight loss.
May lead to injury. If Pilates exercises are done incorrectly, injury can result. You might mistakenly believe that the slow movements used in Pilates mean that injury is almost impossible. Of course, that is not true. Pilates exercises require correct posture, slow and steady movements, and a great amount of concentration. If you rush through the exercises or go into them with the wrong posture, you could end up hurting yourself.
Slow Results. Physical results from Pilates take longer than with other exercise forms. Newbies to Pilates often experience frustration at one point or another. The frustration stems from not seeing results as quickly as they would if they attended a boot camp or aerobics class. If you are watching for quick physical results, you are not going to see them for a few weeks with Pilates. While Pilates will not show immediate or quick results, the results will be worth it.
What is HIITLATES?
HIITLATES combines high-intensity interval training (HIIT), core strength training, and Pilates methods to form the ultimate low impact workout. For best results, we recommend joining a hiitlates class that is trainer led to learn some of the core exercises.
What equipment is required for HIITLATES workouts?
Because there is no special equipment needed for HIIT workouts and because Pilates is tailored to meet the individual’s fitness goals, you can perform a HIITLATES routine using any equipment you liked based on the workouts you create.
However, new equipment has been developed specifically so that all the tools you need to perform a well-balanced workout is accessible and in hands-reach when you’re ready to focus on specific muscle groups.
At HIITLATES in Downey, you can view and test the equipment for yourself when you enroll. The FITBENCH was designed for the fitness enthusiast in mind and was a core piece of fitness equipment used to develop new routines specifically with the HIITLATES method in mind.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a HIITLATES workout (Pros & Cons)
Since HIITLATES is relatively a new method of training, it’s important to know if the workout routines associated with combining high interval training and pilates is the best solution to meet your fitness goals. Below are some advantages and disadvantages with a HIITLATES workout regiment.
The Advantages of HIITLATES (Pros)
Adds cardio to the traditional pilates workout. HIITLATES can easily be described as 50% high intensity interval training and 50% modern pilates training. In fact, HIITLATES is where pilates meets HIIT. It’s the perfect marriage because its unique routines were developed as an all-in-one solution for those looking for a compact workout that can be done in a short amount of time and still produce results.
Can build muscle and improve core strength.
The Disadvantages of HIITLATES (Cons)
Limited trainers.
Limited classes.
Results may vary. Depending on the type of HIITLATES workout routines you enjoy, it’s important to know that results from HIITLATES workouts will vary. For example, if you choose a workout routine that is 80% pilates and 20% HIIT, than expect to see slower moving results. The recommended method is 50/50 which means, for best results, you should perform an equal amount of pilates and HIIT. However, you will find that most HIIT routines combine both styles based on the benefits and your ability to perform them. We recommend you take a class with a certified instructor before you attempt to create your own routines.
