HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. During a HIIT workout, you give your maximum effort (100%) for short bursts of time (20-60 seconds). This is followed by brief periods of active recovery or minimal effort. The maximum effort to minimum effort is often in a 2:1 ratio.

Here’s an example of a HIIT circuit. Let’s consider sprinting. After warming up, start with an all-out 20-second sprint. The sprint is then followed by a 10-second recovery (walk). You complete this at least 8 times. A total of 3 to 5 different movements will give you a 12- to 20-minute HIIT workout. Simple, right?

Why does HIIT work?

Popular teaching tells us that a workout should last an hour. At least half an hour, right? So, is a 20-minute HIIT workout really effective? To be honest, the original research showed results with just a 4-minute workout! HIIT is not just a trend or a fad. It’s here to stay. Here’s a quick review of the science:

In 1996, Izumi Tabata, PhD, published a ground-breaking stu...

The sciences are always evolving. This is obvious in technology, right? Raise your hand if you’re still using a flip phone! (And, if you are, good for you!) But medicine is also rapidly changing. In my opinion, this is especially true in nutrition science. Raise your hand if you think eating fat will make you fat! (Skip to the end of this post for the answer.)

The only thing constant is change

Trying to master nutrition science is fascinating. Not only is there a huge volume of information, but our understanding of that information changes constantly. To paraphrase Heraclitus, the only thing constant is change. And that’s exciting! But it’s also confusing and frustrating when it comes to knowing what to eat.

In this post, I’m taking a little trip down memory lane. Don’t worry - it won’t be a long trip. I’m an 80’s baby; so, I’m starting with the 90’s. My hope is that if your current understanding of nutrition science is like a Motorola Razr … you’ll be ready to upgrade to an iPhone ...