If I were to do 23 minutes of HIIT on the stair stepper, immediately followed by 30 minutes of low intensity cardio on the elliptical, is that any more beneficial?

I was curious as to whether the low intensity cardio counters any of the benefits that yu get from the HIIT.

Calorie-wise I know that I would be burning a few more calories, but I do not want to sacrifice what the HIIT is doing if there is a negative impact.

If I were to do 23 minutes of HIIT on the stair stepper, immediately followed by 30 minutes of low intensity cardio on the elliptical, is that any more beneficial?

I was curious as to whether the low intensity cardio counters any of the benefits that yu get from the HIIT.

It doesn't get in the way at all. It is slightly more beneficial than not doing the 30 minutes of LISS.

Why not do 55 minutes of intervals?

It doesn't get in the way at all. It is slightly more beneficial than not doing the 30 minutes of LISS.

Why not do 55 minutes of intervals?

I have considered this option, but TBH, 23 minutes of HIIT really puts a hurtin' on me. I am hoping it is something I can work up to, but right now my goal is to try HIIT followed by LISS.

Thanks for the help!

It doesn't get in the way at all. It is slightly more beneficial than not doing the 30 minutes of LISS.

Why not do 55 minutes of intervals?

...because it hurts! lol ;-p

Interval training is my specialised subject :D. You won't d any harm what so ever by doin' asy/steady training after intervals - and in fact a 5-10 min minimum at that intenity isatually recommended because it hels your muscles recover faster. Swimmimg is a good idea after a hard interval session, because it helps your muscles recover the fastest.

To continue from hat zen's sayin', you COULD try 55-60 mins of intervals/fartlek training, butyou would have to reduce the effort of you sprints and'or increase you recovery times. Either way, interals are better for burning fat and increasing fitness than steady/easy cardio sessions. :tu:

...because it hurts! lol ;-p

Interval training is my specialised subject :D. You won't d any harm what so ever by doin' asy/steady training after intervals - and in fact a 5-10 min minimum at that intenity isatually recommended because it hels your muscles recover faster. Swimmimg is a good idea after a hard interval session, because it helps your muscles recover the fastest.

To continue from hat zen's sayin', you COULD try 55-60 mins of intervals/fartlek training, butyou would have to reduce the effort of you sprints and'or increase you recovery times. Either way, interals are better for burning fat and increasing fitness than steady/easy cardio sessions. :tu:


Ooooo!

I glad you mentioned swimming because I am swimming 1 mile/ 3 days a week. If I did my HIIT right before, then that would help even more that if I did the HIIT on the alternate days?

Yeah, if you could do your swimming after your HIIT, and do your steady cardio every other day that would be better. Swimming is used for reabilitation for a v.good reason - it helps your muscles recover (as long as it IS low intensity though! haha lol). 1 mile is also a good distance - not too much and too little. :tu:

It doesn't get in the way at all. It is slightly more beneficial than not doing the 30 minutes of LISS.

Why not do 55 minutes of intervals?

Zen, you can do 55 minutes of HIIT? You are superman. :bb:
20 minutes is my limit for cardio HIIT. 30 minutes is my usual weight-lifting intensity that gets my heart rate up. I never combine the 2, except for recently when I added 10 minute HIIT cardio after the weight lifting.

If you can do 23 minutes of HIIT, then maybe it isn't of a high enough intensity.

I would do both, but not one after the other.

If you can do 23 minutes of HIIT, then maybe it isn't of a high enough intensity.

I would do both, but not one after the other.

Don't get me wrong. After 23 minutes of HIIT, I am dripping with sweat and my legs are shaky. It definitely gets the bet of me, I am simply trying to figure out a way to maximize my workout.

I am lifting weights 5 days a week during lunch. In the morning I am doing my cardio, and I think I will try this routine for my morning workout:

M - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)
T - Elliptical (45 minutes to 1 hour)
W - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)
T - Elliptical (45 minutes to 1 hour)
F - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)

Don't get me wrong. After 23 minutes of HIIT, I am dripping with sweat and my legs are shaky. It definitely gets the bet of me, I am simply trying to figure out a way to maximize my workout.

I am lifting weights 5 days a week during lunch. In the morning I am doing my cardio, and I think I will try this routine for my morning workout:

M - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)
T - Elliptical (45 minutes to 1 hour)
W - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)
T - Elliptical (45 minutes to 1 hour)
F - HIIT (23 min) & Swim (1 mile)
Im just saying that you could maybe save yourself some time yet do the same amount of cardio work by working at a higher intensity?

Are you eating before your HIIT in the morning?

Im just saying that you could maybe save yourself some time yet do the same amount of cardio work by working at a higher intensity?

Are you eating before your HIIT in the morning?

Nope. I get up and go straight to the gym. I do plan to increase my intesity on teh Stair stepper, but right now I find myself fudging a little by putting some of my weight in my arms while I hold the side rails. Once I can get through 23 min without fudging, then I will up my intensity.

With swimming, I am much more proficient and I can get 1 mile completed in about 43 minutes, so if I decrease my intensity during my swim (intentionally or not), then at least I will have my HIIT completed for the day.

I have considered this option, but TBH, 23 minutes of HIIT really puts a hurtin' on me. I am hoping it is something I can work up to, but right now my goal is to try HIIT followed by LISS.

Thanks for the help!

It's worth working up. HIIT is a lot more efficient for cutting than LISS.

To continue from hat zen's sayin', you COULD try 55-60 mins of intervals/fartlek training, butyou would have to reduce the effort of you sprints and'or increase you recovery times. Either way, interals are better for burning fat and increasing fitness than steady/easy cardio sessions. :tu:

Which would you prefer? I tend to prefer lengthening the rest interval as the workout goes on. Normally I use a heart rate monitor and set a recovery heart rate, so when the heart rate is back down to that number, then it's time to start the next set.

Im just saying that you could maybe save yourself some time yet do the same amount of cardio work by working at a higher intensity?
I like Foley's idea. :tucool:

When it comes to HIIT, I prefer to work out harder, not longer. 23 minutes would be pushing it for me.

Also, I would experiment with some light meals prior to "hiiting" it. :) If you can get up ~20 minutes earlier, then get a small meal in, you might perform better.

I like Foley's idea. :tucool:

When it comes to HIIT, I prefer to work out harder, not longer. 23 minutes would be pushing it for me.

Also, I would experiment with some light meals prior to "hiiting" it. :) If you can get up ~20 minutes earlier, then get a small meal in, you might perform better.

I suck at HIIT in the morning. I have to be up an hour or so for the joints and muscles to feel "ready". Otherwise it's always taken 3-4 intervals for me to really feel I'm getting full effort in.

So getting up earlier might be a good idea just to loosen up by moving around more to get ready to go.

Zen, you can do 55 minutes of HIIT?

Depends on the schedule of the intervals. Something like Tabata? No. But if you change that to eight breaths between sets, then yes. Eight breaths between sets is not that long, especially once you get the heart rate cranked up high, but it seems to be just enough to keep going indefinitely.

When I'm in a good running groove, I'll intersperse intervals with LISS. Start off with a good 15 minutes of HIIT, then jog until I don't want to die anymore, then up the intensity to a good run, and do some more intervals for another 10 minutes or so before a cooldown.

I figure it's the best of both worlds. It also helps to train you to dig into reserves of strength during races (passing the guy in front of you after 9K). I also figure it'll help if I'm ever being chased by monsters. :whistle:

Hello all i do my cardio tue thurs and saturday mid morning 10:30 am after 2 meals usually last meal being at 9:15...should i go with hiit or liss for ultimate fat loss? or combine both ?

My diet and macros are right on.