Lefties Now Target High-Intensity Workouts as Needless and Pressure-Driven

High-intensity workouts in the gym, including the so-called HIIT (“high-intensity interval training), may be totally unnecessary or even counter-productive, according to an article on the far-left site, HuffPost.

It claims that “you” have “probably” been working out “harder than” you should.

Down with the ‘Pressure’ to Work Out

The report claims experts advise that “lower-intensity exercise” is no less necessary than HIIT workouts. It also laments any “pressure” to engage in “good workouts,” which comes from social media influencers and fitness trackers.

“That’s wrong,” the article proclaims, adding that people’s idea of proper exercise shouldn’t be associated with reaching a very high pulse or “lots of sweat,” since “yoga or walking” would also do the trick.

It notes studies that found that 21-minute-long daily walks could decrease heart disease risk by 30%, while yoga has benefits for mental health and chronic back pain.

The report further alleges that HIIT workouts may not be the right thing “for you” and that “low-intensity exercise” may be just as good.

It quotes the head of Mayo Clinic’s sports medicine research in Onalaska, Wisconsin, Andrew Jagim, who says a person doesn’t have to reach his or her maximum heart rate when working out.

He added that maximum heart rate is calculated by subtracting one’s age from 220 and that cardio exercise sees most people’s pulses at 60%-80% of the maximum.

Jagim then describes the proper HIIT workout, with high intensity and recovery intervals, with the entire session lasting 15-20 minutes instead of one hour.

They Found Plenty of Arguments Not to Push Yourself Hard

However, the HuffPost report points out that low-intensity workouts, unlike HIIT, have the benefit of not depending on “timed interval training. That is, a person could engage in those for “as long as you want,” according to a Philadelphia-based fitness instructor, RaGina McKissick.

The certified training points to several examples of lower-intensity workouts such as barre, walking, dance classes, and pilates and argues those would bring a person all exercise benefits.

McKissick also insists that low-intensity training could be more beneficial because it may allow a person to focus on how best to control breathing.

The fitness instructor adds people may be frustrated with the results of their HIIT regimen because they might never do low-intensity exercise, which prevents them from using the full potential of their muscles.

The report quotes the American College of Sports Medicine as declaring only those who try to achieve their “maximum performance” should be seeking to reach their maximum heart rate.

However, if one’s goal is burning fat, “basic endurance,” and aerobic fitness, he or she may as well keep to the 60% – 80% heart rate window.

Jagim recommends that people shouldn’t succumb to pressure to do exercises at a high intensity, which could lead to workers that are “painful or not enjoyable.”

He adds that such HIIT workouts wouldn’t be a prerequisite to a person’s long-term success. According to McKissick, one should listen to his or her body and do various kinds of exercises – including low-intensity, cardio, and strength training.

She advises people to draw a distinction between “pushing” themselves “too hard” and “challenging” themselves.

This article appeared in The State Today and has been published here with permission.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR