M4:D27 (D327) HIT Principles Explained

What's on my mind today?
As most of you know, I am working through a workout plan designed by Carlos DeJesus. This plan utilizes the HIT principles of lifting. While you can easily look this up on Google, I figured I'd take the time today to explain the principles in a simple way.

HIT (or High Intensity Training) is designed to give you an incredible workout in the least amount of time. The idea is to do a workout in a short period of time that absolutely bombards the body. In my case, I am doing a full body routine 3 days a week. At first glance, this sounds extreme. However, when you really examine what is going on, it is not extreme at all, it is effective.

I train with a 3-3 cadence. 3 seconds on the positive phase of the lift and 3 seconds on the negative phase of the lift. This makes it more difficult to get alot of repetitions out of the exercises I am doing. The weight I can lift is dramatically less as a result of this cadence. At the same time, this cadence really stresses out the muscle. I take each set to momentary failure. The muscles actually shake and shiver after a set. It is an intense feeling.

By working the body in this way, with just one set taken to failure, your body recovers better and you can work the same muscle groups more often each week. This spurs on more growth.

The key element here is the recovery. You have to pay attention to your body and be sure you have fully recovered before you do another workout. That part is essential for growth to happen.

Find out what I'm doing to my body!
Today was a 30 minute interval session. I got myself up to 145 BPM and then held it there for 2 minutes. I allowed my body to recover down to 105 BPM and then repeated the cycle over and over until I hit 30 minutes. I always end up dripping in sweat after this workout. It is aimed at bringing up my fat burning level to a higher heart rate level. I enjoy these sessions.

Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!
"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them." Denis Waitley

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