23 September Ray Child September 23, 2015 5 Myths You Probably Believe About High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Body, Fitness, High Intensity Interval Training HIIT 0 Comment High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is huge right now, and it's easy to see why. It gets results fast, and it's a lot of fun. We get it, and we love all the buzz--especially since we are now offering HIIT exclusively at our two new studios, Prestonwood Place and Alliance Town Center. But with the hype comes a lot of misunderstanding. Which of these HIIT myths have YOU fallen for? MYTH: HIIT is dangerous. REALITY: There is no evidence to suggest that HIIT is inherently dangerous, although it does include the risks present in any kind of exercise (even yoga!) if you don't listen to your body. As long as you practice good form and take breaks or modify as needed, HIIT will only help you! MYTH: You have to be in great shape to do HIIT. REALITY: An exercise program that you can only do if you're already in shape isn't very useful, is it? Most people will not be able to do everything in a HIIT class when they first begin, but you will benefit from the class even if you take extra breaks and modify to make exercises easier. Set realistic expectations for yourself and have fun. MYTH: HIIT will make me look too bulky. REALITY: While HIIT will definitely strengthen your muscles, the primary visible change is fat-burning. Remember, body-builders put a lot of effort into looking the way they do--you won't stumble upon that look by accident! Additionally, genetic limits will determine how much muscle you can ultimately build (so if you're a woman worried about looking like a man, relax--your DNA won't let you). We promise toned and muscular will look good on you. MYTH: HIIT is the same thing as CrossFit. REALITY: While programs like CrossFit and P90X utilize High Intensity Interval Training in their workouts, not all HIIT studios nor sequences are created equal! The possible combinations of exercises in a HIIT sequence is limitless, and the way they are taught (and the way the teachers are trained) matters. As an example, our HIIT sequences are carefully designed to work the entire body equally and avoid overtaxing one set of muscles. There is no "leg day" at Sunstone! MYTH: HIIT is the only workout I need. REALITY: Don't misunderstand--we love HIIT, just like we love yoga, Pilates, and barre. But there are good reasons to change up your workout regularly. You need to allow your body adequate recovery time after a high intensity workout before doing it again, for example, and more complex, multi-movement exercises are safer when performed at a slower pace. The body needs a wide variety of exercise styles. That's why we offer such a wide variety of classes! Find a class at Sunstone today! Related Articles What Are HIIT Workouts? What Are HIIT Workouts? HIIT workouts have been growing significantly in popularity recently. With HIIT group classes popping up in more and more gyms and studios across the country. Despite the popularity, there are still some misconceptions and misunderstandings about HIIT training. The actual activity of the workout can vary, but typically HIIT training includes bodyweight and equipment based exercises. What makes it “HIIT”, is the time spent in high intensity vs. rest periods. So, what does “HIIT” mean? What Is Suspension Training? If you are like many people slowly coming out of quarantine, you want to get yourself back in shape. Gyms have been closed, we have been shut up in our homes, and we are just itching to attain our prior levels of health and fitness once more. For those of us who have never started a consistent fitness routine and regime, the concept of suspension training can seem very intimidating. Suspension training takes standard exercise to the next level by working with the combination of gravity and your body weight to give you a very effective workout in a relatively short period of time. What is suspension training? You may be asking yourself, what is suspension training? With the addition of some heavy-duty straps attached to an anchored surface, you can take your workout to new levels of effectiveness and efficiency. Virtually any standard exercise can be transformed through the addition of suspension straps, making your workout more effective in less time. Navy seals and other fitness professionals swear by this method of working out, as they claim that no other form of workout protocol has quite the same effect on both balancing the body and improving strength. While you must be careful when first attempting this type of adaptation, it is possible to undergo successful suspension training for beginners, provided you follow proper form and function instructions. Let's take a look at some of the suspension training benefits you stand to gain with this type of monster workout: Who Does Yoga? – Breaking Through Dallas’ Hot Yoga Myths Yoga has been around for thousands of years, but it’s still a very misunderstood form of exercise in America. Misconceptions about yoga, most especially Dallas hot yoga, are still, (sadly) widespread in the West. Here are a few of the most far-reaching yoga myths. You have to be in perfect shape if you want to do yoga. Yoga Teacher Training: Transformational Learning at Sunstone Yoga Academy Is yoga teacher training right for you? Even basic yoga training can change your life. Whether you want to open your own studio or just take your yoga practice to the next level, Sunstone Yoga Academy can help you open up to the world around you. Our Yoga Academy is for people who are passionate about yoga and growing their practice—we’re not just looking for people who want to teach yoga! Yoga For Cross Training Yoga can be excellent cross-training for athletes. Hot yoga, in particular, is especially suited to a slot on your cross-training schedule. It’s a no-brainer that yoga will help keep hard-working muscles stretched and flexible while making them strong in their full range of motion. But the benefits don’t stop there! Born to Move Since the recent NYT article “How yoga Can Wreck Your Body.” I have seen a number of comments on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and via email. On the one hand I was sad that yoga (in general) was getting bad press as I personally know of the positive effects it brings to many people’s lives. On the other hand I felt a sense of vindication for 10 years of standing strong on: Comments are closed.