Torch Fat With Hill Sprints

Author: Tommy Leung | 08/18/2008 | Cardio, Fat Loss, Fitness

I’m not the biggest fan of long distance running unless it is in the name of competition. I can tolerate it a lot more when I am outside where the ground isn’t always the same and other factors can at least surprise you. Hamster running on a treadmill is by far my most hated gym activity. With that being the case, you can probably guess that I don’t do much of it.

Instead of long marathonesque running, I always prefer interval sprints or what is more popularly known as High Intensity Interval Training–HIIT. The idea behind HIIT is that you put light-pace work in between short sprints where you go as hard as you can. My usual HIIT treadmill routine is a light two minute jog followed by loops of a 30 second sprint and a one minute 30 second light jog resting period until I hit 20 minutes. I also raise the incline of the treadmill to better mimic real outdoors running.

I haven’t used my treadmill routine in a while because I’ve been running outdoors–the weather is nice so why not go outside? I happen to live in an somewhat hilly area. My general route leads me going mostly downhill in the beginning and then mostly uphill the rest of the way. I use the same HIIT concept except I do the sprints when I am going uphill. The hills keep the running interesting and challenging.

Now only recently, I’ve started sprinting up this rather steep hill. I don’t know exactly how steep it is but, when I drive my car up it, I can feel the car really trying–I drive a Nissan Altima. From my perspective, sprinting up relatively steep hills is a lot more satisfying than a couple mile run with small hill sprints throughout.

It is known that HIIT is a better way to torch fat because it creates a similar effect as weight lifting: increased caloric usage throughout the day regardless of what you are doing. Taking the concept of HIIT and nature’s landscape will help you lose fat faster and be a lot more fun than time spent on the human hamster wheel.

By Tommy Leung