Why Less Intense Workouts are Good for You Too

Amy Taylor February 27, 2014

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become the latest fitness craze in town. Today, more and more people are shifting from moderate forms of exercise like jogging and brisk walking to shorter bouts of intense workouts. Well, we can’t blame them. Numerous studies have linked HIIT workouts to faster weight loss, longer lifespan, and improved quality of health. What’s more, these workouts only take several minutes, making them an ideal workout programme for busy professionals and those who really not into exercising.

But don’t feel sad if you’re not doing HIIT or you just can’t do it. Even steady-state training can bring amazing wonders to your body. Whilst fast-phased intense workouts deliver high levels of cardiovascular benefits, less intense workouts nevertheless have essential benefits too. They include the following:

It’s a good option for beginners. If you are new to exercising or you have been sedentary for a long time, a good way to incorporate exercise in your lifestyle is to start with steady-state training. Begin with a low- to moderate-intensity workout and gradually increase the intensity and duration. You can shift to HIIT workouts easily if you are able to sustain at least 20-minute of physical exercise, three to five times per week in one month.

It’s more enjoyable, a lot of times. Not everyone enjoys pushing their bodies to the limit when exercising. If you prefer an easy-going workout, steady-state training is a great option for you. The best part is that you can still burn a lot of calories, grow muscles, feel more energetic and get the health benefits associated with high-intensity workouts, so long as you do it regularly.

You’re less likely to get injured. There’s no question that high-intensity workouts are tough on the body. But like what they say – no pain no gain! Still, if you have a health condition that doesn’t allow you to engage in vigorous exercises, steady-state training is a good way to stay active.

You can burn calories without getting burned out. If you’re looking to lose weight, you can count on to steady-state training. Less intense workouts can help you burn fats without getting burned out yourself. To keep you going, choose a workout that you find enjoyable. If you love jogging, go to a place where you can interact with nature. Dancing and aerobics are fun workouts too. Make variations with your physical activities. This will prevent you from getting bored.

Whilst you should try to do HIIT workouts as often as you can, don’t just push the idea of going steady-state training away. It does have benefits too. What’s more – it is enjoyable, less tiring, and a good option if you are not used to getting physical activities regularly. If weight loss is your goal, you can also take advantage from low intensity workouts.