fitness talk

Just completed a work-out with J.
It was one of her exercise DVDs based on the HIIT (high intensity interval training) principle.
I use intervals in my workout a lot, whether it's running or whatever, so I thought I'd do well with this DVD.

Wrong.

I didn't do well, at all.
I did complete the workout but this is the thing.

First of all, it is not enough to warm-up for 4 minutes. 
I'm sure the people who have created this DVD are professionals but this just goes to show that not everything suits everyone.
For me, this is absolutely not enough. Okay, I understand if I'd be in a rush and I have to get a work-out in, or whatever. But I mean, I'm very happy to work-out, thanks! And it's not a huge priority "just to get it over with".
So note for the future - keep taking time for warming up.

Second. I like stretching other body parts than my legs.
Same thing really. 4 minutes to stretch. You've just put your body through quite a thing, you know! I mean, high intensity is HIGH intensity. So surely your body deserves more than 4 minutes to relax and wind down. Besides, there's so much more to stretching than the legs. But it was literally, all leg angles, and then, shake it off. What? What am I "shaking off"? What about the back and sides and arms and shoulders? Just, what?

HIIT is great, but make sure you understand how your blood-pressure works!
I'm one of the people who just has high blood-pressure. It loves getting sky-high and very quickly. So I need to work on maintaining a middle-to-high pulse rate. This is very individual for different people. Whatever it is, make sure you are aware of it. I'm still currently sat on my ass, trying to recover.

HIIT is awesome as part of working out. Intervals in general are great, high or medium intensity.

But please, give your body time to warm-up, make sure you then feel warmed up (especially if you live a sedentary life style), and then same with the cool down, to make sure you feel good before the workout, then have the power to push yourself and have a good hardcore workout and then to feel good again afterwards.

And as always, all I know is what I've done and tried myself.
I'm gonna go eat an orange.

And I hope you're having a lovely Monday!

Raise the pulse.
M.