How can I incorporate HIIT into a three day a week routine

Haffy13 · Post by **Haffy13** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 12:34 pm

Let's say that I do a full body lift three days a week - monday, wednesday, friday. Is there a way that I can incorporate a day or two of HIIT into a routine like this without it being too much for my body to recover from?

hoosegow · Post by **hoosegow** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 12:36 pm

Tuesday and Thursday no problems.

Post by **stuward** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:20 pm

Or do it after your gym workouts.

Haffy13 · Post by **Haffy13** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:44 pm

Sounds good. I take it that circuit training would probably count the same?

Post by **Jungledoc** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:40 pm

Probably. You would want to try to avoid a lot of duplication with your lifts of that or the previous day, and not make the circuit isn't just another heavy lifting session.

Stephen Johnson · Post by **Stephen Johnson** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:47 pm

Haffy13 wrote:Sounds good. I take it that circuit training would probably count the same?

Most circuit training isn't an effective form of cardio. Plus, the more weight you lift during circuit training, the more it interferes with your recovery from weight lifting if you do it on off days. And doing it on lifting days doesn't make sense.

Doing barbell/dumbbell/kettlebell complexes can be an alternative to HIIT that also can be be done in a circuit.

You should try HIIT for a couple of weeks during off days, then do it after weights for another couple of weeks.Then you might get an idea of when the best time for HIIT is for your training program.

BTW - an HIIT session shouldn't last more than 30 minutes, tops