What is this HIIT that has you cowering in a sobbing mess, I hear you ask? Well, the idea is fairly straight forward: Instead of lengthy lukewarm workouts, you work out as hard as you can for a short period of time. This is followed by a short resting period, just long enough to recover your breath without allowing your heart rate to drop back to normal. Simples, no?
Except that my first experience of HIIT (which was trampoline based) ended in a violent vomiting incident (more about it here). And then there is of course the fact that it would become obvious that I cannot squat-jump for 40 seconds without a break involving an ice-cream-van. And that would only be Minute 1 of the 60-minutes session.
However, I did commit to trying out as many sports and classes as possible (see here), and so when Rose suggested that I join her for a HIIT class, my pride had to battle it out between collapsing into a tire or go back on my public word. Most of the people I know and love have already seen me collapse in a variety of unseemly ways, so I didn't have much pride left to lose there...
And so yet again I rocked up at a local community centre with a churning stomach. Said stomach dropped further when Rose pointed out that the class would take place outside: Not only would all the participants and the coach hear my desperate grasping for air, no, any old passer-by would be able to see my attempts at a lunge.
The format of the class is clearly defined: A short warm up, and then you work your way around the different stations. In the class I attended, we spent 40 seconds working at each of the 10 stations, with a 20 seconds break to move to the next station. We repeated the entire circuit twice. The final part consisted of 10 exercises focusing on core workout, before we had a brief stretch and cool down session. The exercises varied from swinging kettle bells, lifting tires and battle ropes to planks, variations of squats and planks. And squats and variations planks. Throw in some squats and planks... you get the idea.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rose for not letting me back out; it was hard work and I do feel sore on this evening after the evening before. It was sweaty and during more than one exercise I had to pause to catch my breath. But I do feel that I had given it my all and truly earned my hot shower. Today I wore my achy bottom with pride and graciously accepted help from students to carry books that my arms couldn't cope with. (I'm also grateful for dissuading me from cycling to the session - the heavy rain would not have been the only thing stopping me from ever getting home again.)
And I would like to thank the coach of Glutes & Gut Fitness as well as all the other participants - they were incredibly friendly, encouraging and helpful. Not just towards me, but also to one another. The shouts of "come on", "you can do it", "nearly there" and "keep pushing" carried on across the session, and gave that all needed push to keep on keeping on until the desperately awaited 5 second countdown kicked in.
If, like me, you'd rather paper-cut your nostrils than consider attending a HIIT class, these thoughts might be helpful:
- The session I attended was free for first timers. A great way of giving something a go to try out how it feels.
- The class I went to usually takes place in a local community centre, either in- and outdoors. There are so many varieties of the class in different locations, I'm sure there is something convenient near you.
- You won't need to purchase any special clothing or equipment; everything is provided as long as you rock up in your gym gear, trainers and carrying a bottle of water. A towel might be an idea.
- It's hard. Now that means it might be really hard for an exercise beginner. But it's also hard for everyone else in the group. I promise that no-one will have time or energy to watch & judge you, but everyone will be making similarly grateful grunting noises when the anticipated signal for rest time comes on.
- It is really hard, but it's really hard for 40 seconds. So if you often find yourself watching the clock, this might be the thing for you.
- If - like me - you value efficiency, this might definitely be a class to consider. There is no faffing.
- Because everyone works so hard, everyone really appreciates the hard work of the other participants. It felt like everyone was everyone else's most vigorous cheerleader. If you need some positive feedback, this might definitely the place to fill your tank.
- There are intensity levels for you to choose from. The 6kg or 12kg kettle-bell? Lifting the bar straight up or adding in squats? Absolutely your choice - unless the coach thinks you're coasting... she'll soon let you know.
- You might surprise yourself! After every 40 minutes stint that I managed to survive, I felt like I should be getting a medal. And whether it was the positive atmosphere, the desperate need to safe face or the pouring rain, I managed to get through quite a few stints. And never once collapsed into a tire or otherwise.
Would I go again? I guess I'll have to - someone has to show those battle ropes who's boss!
