In January a local trainer was having a promotion for their HITT Class. 6 classes for $6. This gave me the opportunity to give this HITT thing a try, while also having my first experience in a group fitness setting.  The classes had to be used within a certain time period, meaning I would miss a week because of my trip to Maui, but it was still an awesome deal that I couldn’t pass up.

What is HITT Training?

HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a training technique in which you give all-out, one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. The idea being that your heart rate is kept up, and you burn more fat in less time. It then creates an afterburn effect, where you continue to burn calories, and fat, long after your workout is complete.

The Class

My first day of class, my anxiety tried to convince me not to go. I generally work out alone, with headphones, and in my own world. But I made it there. After filling out some quick paperwork I took a look around. I could see 4 stations set up. Each for a different type of exercise, working different body parts and muscle groups.

The instructor introduced herself and she was friendly and FULL of energy. If I had to make a comparison, I would like her to my 7-year-old, after he drank a Redbull (hypothetically speaking of course). She started off with a light warm-up, jogging in place, then worked in some punches, and jumping jacks to get the blood moving. After this, she demonstrated each of the exercises. Then it was our turn.

For the next 30 minutes, we worked through each of the different exercises. They were all easily adaptable for anyone who couldn’t do a certain move because of injury or whatever the case may be. We did each exercise for 45 seconds, moved on to the next, and repeated each twice. Following the final rotation, we took a quick water break while we learned the next ones. Repeating this process until we had completed all the exercises. Afterwards, we did a cool down with some stretching.

First Impression

I left the class feeling a little disappointed. I had heard that this was going to be one of the most intense workouts I had ever had, and while I was sweating I didn’t feel like I had gotten everything I could have out of it. So, even I returned, I vowed to push myself harder.

The second class was set up identically, because obviously this is what HITT is, and so I tackled it with everything I had in me. This time when I left the class I left feeling satisfied. I had actually gotten what I wanted out of this class. The next day I was a sore. My muscle groups had received a good workout during the class and I finally felt like I got what I had expected.

My takeaway

Overall, for my first class setting, I walked away satisfied. I am not ready to commit to a class long term but I learned a lot of different exercises for different muscle groups and have started I have implemented HITT into more of my regular workouts during the week.

Should you take a HITT class?

If you’re looking for a class setting to get a good workout, that doesn’t involve a bike, then yes. Like any other workout, you’re going to get out of it what you put into it. The harder you work, the more results you will see. All the exercises are easily adapted to any body type and fitness levels.