Im not trying to take away a thing that you love.

What is real HIIT?

Then you get to rest for four minutes, and do it again.

These are not workouts that people do for fun.

Everyone who Ive seen recount the experience has said that it wascomplete agony.

The scientists often note that people can rarely push themselves hard enough to replicate these protocols on their own.

Interval workouts boomed in popularity, using a variety of work/rest intervals.

How do newer HIIT videos compare?

The term HIIT didnt just get watered down; it mutated.

Sure, why not.

HIITs popularity had been building for years when lockdown hit, and from there it exploded.

And to make them sound exciting, youll call them HIIT.

The label HIIT on a bodyweight workout, I suspect, is supposed to translate as good enough.

Are they saying theyll improve yourVO2max, which was one of the original benefits noted?

The longer the workout and the more out of breath you are, the more calories youre burning.

But there are two caveats: First, this is only significant when the workout isreallyintense.

EvenGibala has saidthat afterburn is overstated.

Do they build muscle?Maybe a little, but they wont get you the booty/arms/whatever of your dreams.

If your HIIT workout allows for this, great!

But pretty soon youll be strong enough that the workout isnt challenging your muscles enough to grow.

You really do need totrain increasingly heavyif you want to build muscles.

How do I know if an HIIT video is actually good?

First, ask yourself why youre doing the video.

Do you want to increase your aerobic fitness?

Do you want to build muscle?

Then evaluate whether the video actually challenges your muscles.

But if you have specific goals, seek out the best ways to achieve them.

Chances are, theres something out there thats better for you than yet another HIIT video.