What is a HIIT Step workout?

HIIT Step is a short, sharp and results-driven workout that combines simple step combinations and resistance training with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). We offer HIIT classes in Morley, Baldivis and Southern River.

What is Step?

Step is short for step aerobics, a classic cardio workout using a step (a low raised platform) which you step up, around and down in various patterns to boost your heart rate and strengthen your muscles.

In some classes, you can use hand weights for additional strength training moves, but the intensity level of step aerobics is only as high as the pace that you choose and the height the step is set at (typically adjusts from between 4 – 12 inches).

Step aerobics targets a number of important areas of the body, including your core, abs, arms, legs, glutes and back and it is an excellent low impact exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels.

What is HIIT?

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a training method employing  intervals of 100% effort interspersed with moderate recovery periods.

It is a highly effective form of exercise because it gets your heart rate up and keeps it there and as a result, burns more fat in less time.

Put simply, you go as hard as you can for a short period of time, then rest or perform an exercise at reduced intensity and then repeat the whole cycle over again.

The respite offered by the intervals are what allow you to keep pushing into your maximum training zone, which is where the results happen.

And the main result of HIIT is calorie burn, not so much during the workout as after it in what is known as the ‘afterburn’ phase. This can continue for up to 24 hours after you have finished exercising; a period during which many more hundreds of calories can be burned.

HIIT does this by increasing your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), which accounts for 65 – 75% of the calories we burn every day. By increasing your RMR, more calories are burned, rather than being stored as fat for later use.

The benefits of HIIT Step

HIIT Step has several important benefits for participants including;

• Strength training – it will help to improve your power, speed, coordination, agility and endurance.
• Cardio workout – it will get your cardiovascular system pumping and increase your heart and lung oxygen capacity.
• Calorie burning – you will burn an average of up to 400 calories per workout session and then several hundred more during the afterburn phase.
• Time saving – HIIT Step sessions take just 30 minutes a day, so you can pack an hour’s worth of quality exercise into half the time. Ideal for those who lead a busy lifestyle.

HIIT Step is also a great group activity and a lot of fun, so if you want to rev up your workout and burn calories while you do it, contact us about HIIT Step today at Bailey Fitness.

Lots of other fitness classes are available, check out the Bailey Fitness timetable now.