Hacker News Reader

I have mixed feelings. For some, the problem really is time. For these people, HIIT may be the right way to go. But you're right that people don't realize just hard a real HIIT workout is.

I have difficulty maintaining what is supposedly the proper level of intensity (according to my previous trainer) without throwing up afterwards. It's not exactly a fun and easy way to get in shape.

View on HN

I completely agree with you there. HIIT is a great way to get a quick workout in. It is just not fun or easy (like you've said).

My problem is more with the tone of a lot of these articles. They come across like a bad advertisement for some new medication. 'Try HIIT and get in shape with only one minute of actual exercise'.

*With warmup and cool down real time is actually closer to 10 minutes. Side effects may include vomiting, crying, and a bad case of Edgar from Men in Black walk.

I remember another piece in the New York Times about two years ago that described the correct HIIT workout as "so intense you moan." That seems about right, in my experience. :)

Yes, that is one hundred percent accurate. They should have added "and get weird looks from the people around you" to the end of that quote.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com