High intensity workouts are the latest trend in fitness. But what does that actually mean? Working to the point of complete muscle fatigue or until you throw up? Or something a little less intense, but hard enough that you can't talk.
One of the most important elements is the intensity of your workout, so it is important to get it right. While most guidelines recommend moderate intensity exercise most days of the week, working at a high intensity can help you burn more calories, save time with shorter workouts, and increase your fitness level.
Ways to Meaure Intensity
So, how do you know if you're working at a high or vigorous intensity level? There's no precise definition, but there are ways to monitor how hard you're working:
The Talk Test - If you're working at a vigorous intensity level, you should be breathless and only able to say a few words at a time.
Perceived Exertion - To use this method, match how you feel during your workout to this Perceived Exertion Chart. A high intensity would be around a Level 8-9. Studies have found that perceived exertion ratings closely reflect what your heart rate is doing. This means that if you perceive that your exertion is high, then it is very possible that your heart rate is also high.
Percentage of Your Maximum Heart Rate - For this method, you can calculate your target heart rate zone and use a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate. To work at a high intensity, you would stay between 80-90% percent of your maximum heart rate.
How Often to Do High Intensity Exercise
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines suggest doing 5 days of moderate intensity exercise each week or vigorous/high intensity exercise for about 20 minutes, 3 days a week, but how much you do is based on your fitness level and goals. It's good to work at a variety of intensity levels to tap into different energy systems and work your body in different ways.
Too much high intensity exercise could lead to burn out or overuse injuries, so you don't want to do this kind of exercise every day.
If you're a beginner, starting with interval training is a great way to get your body used to higher intensity exercise in short, manageable bites. There are ways to work hard while keeping things low impact if jumping isn't comfortable for you. Learn more about how to add intensity to your workouts and get the most out of your workout time.
Examples of High Intensity Activities
Some activities are naturally more intense than others, especially exercises that involve using large muscle groups like your legs. These include: