High Intensity Training (H.I.T.)

[Mr. Waay]

Does anyone one here have a track record using HIT. It was a philosophy that was developed by Arthur Jones and popularized and perfected by Mike Mentzer and Ellington Darden. Basically, you only work out only once to a maximum of 3 times per week for no more than 20 minutes per workout.

The idea is that you go to failure for each set that you do. You only do one set per routine. And you only do 8 to 10 routines which collectively work your entire body (no split routines). Also, you don't rest between routines/sets thus keeping your heart rate up the entire time you're working your muscles.

Anyone tried this? Can you share your experiences? Claims of 20 pound fat losses in a month are promised for this workout system. True?

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Mr. Waay

Does anyone one here have a track record using HIT. It was a philosophy that was developed by Arthur Jones and popularized and perfected by Mike Mentzer and Ellington Darden. Basically, you only work out only once to a maximum of 3 times per week for no more than 20 minutes per workout.

The idea is that you go to failure for each set that you do. You only do one set per routine. And you only do 8 to 10 routines which collectively work your entire body (no split routines). Also, you don't rest between routines/sets thus keeping your heart rate up the entire time you're working your muscles.

Anyone tried this? Can you share your experiences? Claims of 20 pound fat losses in a month are promised for this workout system. True?

After I finished my 30 day trial of working out every day earlier this year I read a book called "The 10 Minute Workout". It helped me to take my muscles to failure really quickly and it took me like 6 days to recover. However, the problem was that since you're not working out on a regular basis it's so hard to make it a habit, and your muscles are totally dead for days after the workout. I can't tell you too much about it because I quit after a few weeks, but that should tell you something.

The important question to ask yourself is whether you're interested in fitness or health? If you just want to look good but risk dropping dead of a heart attack, there are many quick ways to lose fat which are not very healthy for you. However if you want to make health a priority, you'll lose fat anyways.

[stephencp]

"...your muscles are totally dead for days after the workout. I can't tell you too much about it because I quit after a few weeks, but that should tell you something."

If you stuck with it, you're body will adapt and you'd not have felt as bad. Every time I"ve started and stopped working out (for a couple months), after I start again, it doesn't matter if I only use my 1/2 my bodyweight for squats, my legs will be sore for days. After a couple weeks though, I'm back in the groove and can go to failure with well over my bodyweight and only be a little sore for one day.
I would heartily recommend Welcome to CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness (not an affiliate link) for anyone interested in any level of physical fitness.


Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics
TSTN | The Success Training Network

[vetteluv]

I've been using The New H.I.T. Training Manual by Ellington Darden, for almost 3 months now. The best thing about the program is that it corrects alot of the ego driven, heavy weight swinging concepts you see in most gyms today. I actually used this system to rehab my lower back after deadlifting to much weight with poor form. The book basically prescribes brief but very intense circut style workouts. Form and intensity are stressed over - load. I found this workout to be very well structured and efficient. Using the progressive overload concept in the book, I've been able to chart a significant increase in my overall strength over the past three months.
I've also been to the crossfit website and was very impressed with their overall strength/fitness philosophy. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!

[stephencp]

"I've also been to the crossfit website and was very impressed with their overall strength/fitness philosophy. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!"

While other stuff may not be "wrong", I think that Welcome to CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness
is definately the best way to go for anyone really serious about health and functional strength.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics
TSTN | The Success Training Network

[Ibanez]

HIT is largely discredited in strength training circles. I think it's still used for bodybuilders though, so whatever floats your boat.

[stephencp]

"HIT is largely discredited in strength training circles. I think it's still used for bodybuilders though"

I tend to agree. HIT (and other regimes that use supersets by maxing out then stripping weight and immediately maxing out again) will tax your muscles and make your muscles grow, however functional strength also requires strengthening your tendons and ligaments which are not stressed at all by light weights. Besides the look, what good are big muscles that can't be used? Just look at the world strongest man competition on ESPN some time. While all those guys are big, most are not as "muscular" as bodybuilders and yet are easily twice as powerful. Power does not equal strength does not equal massive muscles.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics

[Conan Stevens]

Just go to the gym for a few years, do a bit of everything and you'll develop your own style and technique.

Just because someone makes something up to sell as a product does not mean it is right or that you will do it correctly to get the proper gains.