H.I.I.T.

If you’re going to be up and exercising on a Monday at 8 a.m., it better be with Colleen Daly.  She is teaching a new class, H.I.I.T., or High Intensity Interval Training.  To begin, I can tell you that the class name was not lying – it was insanely intense.  In a mere 45 minutes, I managed to sweat buckets.

So how does it work?  It’s quite simple – to understand, that is.  It’s called Tabata.  You do one move for 20 seconds, rest for 10.  Repeat this eight times for a total of four minutes, then you get a (well-deserved) minute rest.  These moves include jump squats, burpees and jumping jacks.  I quickly realized that each 20 seconds felt longer than the previous and those 10 second rests couldn’t have gone by any faster.

The best thing about this class – Colleen offered a modified move for each round.  So, if one was too intense, you could take it down a notch.  She reminded everyone to listen to their own body.  Do what you can do.  Give it your all and push yourself, but don’t do more than you’re capable of.

My favorite aspects about this class:

1. Short and Sweet – Or not so sweet.  But I got an effective workout in less time than the usual hour long classes.
2. Cardio and Strength Training – After a number of sweaty Tabata rounds, we did a little strength training.  We used the mat and set of dumbbells to work our arms and abs.  I burned up some calories and worked on getting toned up.  Double win.
3. 8:00 a.m. – Yes, it’s early. But I had the entire rest of the day to enjoy other things.  Working out is a great and empowering way to start a week.
4. Not Choreographed – If you’ve read my other class reviews, you know that I am not very coordinated at all.  I love Zumba, Step and anything like it, but I usually pick a spot in the back where people won’t see me practically trip over my own shoelaces.  H.I.I.T. is all about going at your own pace, so you don’t have to keep up with any one person!

This 45 minute class required some real work but allowed me to push myself to do more than I thought I could.  Joining other people in an intense fitness class like H.I.I.T. is a great way to challenge yourself to perform better.  Start the week off right and give this new class a try!  Check out all the group fitness classes here!

On a side note, read my interview with Colleen here!  And for more group fitness class reviews, check out this page!