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Treadmill users seem to always be looking for a way to get the most out of their machines so they can lose weight faster. Many people find their search is over when they discover that doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) on their treadmills is the most efficient way to lose weight. The reason so many treadmill users stick to the HIIT program is not only does it work, but workouts are fast, efficient and interesting.

Treadmill owners started showing an interest in HIIT after a study came out reporting that it showed better results than other forms of cardio for fat loss. The study involved participants being divided into two exercise groups for five months. Group one did a steady pace cardio workout for 45 minutes. At the beginning of the five months, group one started working out at 60% of their maximum heart rate. By the end of the study they were up to 85% of their maximum heart rate. Group two worked out the entire five months doing HIIT for 30 minutes.

Group two would start their routine by elevating their heart rates to 70% of their maximum heart rate. They would then follow this up with ten seconds of less intense exercise that decreased their heart rates, and then a 90 second burst of intense exercise that increased their heart rate, again. This was followed up with an interval of exercise that brought their heart rate back down. This HIIT routine was done over and over throughout their workout.

After the study was done experts concluded that the second group that had been doing HIIT used less energy and time working out during the five months. It was also found that the second group lost three times more fat than the other group, and the fat group two lost was primarily the fat that many people find so hard to get rid of, subcutaneous fat, or the fat that is directly beneath the skin.

HIIT is so effective because it makes your body need more oxygen. This is referred to as EPOC, or Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption. After a HIIT workout your body needs more oxygen to get back to a resting state. This means your body will still be burning calories hours and hours after your workout is over. One study that was completed in 2002 reported that the resting metabolic rate of the individuals they monitored was still increased two days later. HIIT lets you say goodbye to slow metabolism and hello to weight loss!

Doing HIIT with a treadmill makes working out fast and fun. But, keep in mind that HIIT is fairly intense. While HIIT routines should only last between 20 to 30 minutes, you will use every moment of the workout efficiently. After the initial warm up, you will exercise up to your maximum heart rate range. Then you will follow this with intervals of exercise that will lower your heart rate and then raise it back up to your maximum heart rate zone. You can do as many intervals as you would like, or change up the length of the intervals, to give your workout some variance.

Experts recommend that HIIT be done two or three days a week. They don’t recommend doing it back to back because it is so intense. To relieve the stress on your body, put a day or two in between your HIIT routines. Don’t feel guilty on the days you aren’t doing HIIT, relax and know you are still burning calories and losing weight!