Lately I've been having trouble going for a long period of time cardio workout (some might think going for long runs is a waste, but I like to). Anyway, I didn't have a problem running for 5-6 miles on the treadmill, with music of course. But now it is almost impossible to go over 4 miles even with pumping music.
I have been reading that more intense cardio is better and so I've been trying HIIT on the stationary bike as an alternative for cardio. The way I do it is bike normally at an easy resistant pace for one minute and then ride the bike in the upward position for a minute and repeat this for a total of 20 minutes. I've traced heart beat when riding, and it goes from 180bpm to around 145 (when doing one hard minute and one easy minute).
I usually do about 20 minutes. I have found that I sweat an incredible amount when I do this. The bike computer says that I burn less calories than if I jog, but after I bike I feel much more tired in legs than if I had ran.
So should I just go with what body feels and not what the computer says? I'm not sure how accurate it is. Also, is doing HIIT on a stationary bike a valid HIIT workout?
HIIT on stationary bike vs. running
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
-
cassiegose
- VETERAN
- Posts: 2525
- Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 6:06 pm
- Location: Prineville Oregon
Yes, HIIT on the bike is definitely valid. I'm a firm believer in consistantly switching it up. Do HIIT on the bike one day, then go for a jog another day, then do HIIT on treadmill the next cardio day. HIIT workouts ALWAYS vary. Sometimes I'll do HIIT with hills instead of speed... jog on the treadmill and after your "rest" period jack up the incline instead of the speed. Its killer! When you go back to your "rest" period simply take the tm back to flat. I don't think there is any rule about what does and does count as HIIT... as long as youre working as hard as possible.