Health & Wellness
High-Intensity Interval Training for Health
HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training
It is the #1 Hormetic Biohack for Mitochondria, Fat Loss, and Longevity
It is the #1 Hormetic Biohack for Mitochondria, Fat Loss, and Longevity
1. HIIT in 1 Sentence
HIIT = alternating bursts of near-max effort (80–95% HRmax) with short recovery periods — the fastest way to upgrade your mitochondria, burn fat, and extend lifespan.
2. HIIT vs. Steady-State Cardio
|
Metric
|
HIIT (4×4)
|
Moderate Cardio (LISS)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Time
|
20–30 min
|
45–60 min
|
|
Calories Burned (24 h)
|
+15–20% EPOC
|
Baseline
|
|
Mitochondrial Density
|
+50–100% PGC-1α
|
+10–20%
|
|
VO₂max Gain
|
+10–15% in 6 wks
|
+5–8%
|
|
Fat Loss
|
3× more visceral fat
|
Moderate
|
|
Hormesis
|
Strong (ROS → Nrf2)
|
Mild
|
3. GOLD-STANDARD HIIT PROTOCOLS(Pick ONE — rotate every 4–6 wks)
|
Protocol
|
Work: Rest
|
Total Time
|
Best For
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. 4×4 (Norwegian)
|
4 min @ 90–95% HRmax → 3 min @ 60% ×4
|
28 min
|
VO₂max, longevity
|
|
2. Tabata
|
20 sec ALL-OUT → 10 sec rest ×8
|
4 min
|
Anaerobic power
|
|
3. 30/30
|
30 sec sprint → 30 sec walk ×10–15
|
10–15 min
|
Beginners, fat loss
|
|
4. 10×1
|
1 min @ 85% → 1 min recovery ×10
|
20 min
|
Hybrid strength
|
4. HOW TO DO THE 4×4 (STEP-BY-STEP)The most studied, most effective
- Warm-up: 5 min light jog/cycle (50% effort)
- Interval 1:
- 4 min @ 90–95% HRmax (can barely talk)
- HR target: 220 – age × 0.9–0.95
- Recovery: 3 min @ 60% (conversational pace)
- Repeat ×4 total intervals
- Cool-down: 3–5 min easy
Equipment: Treadmill, bike, rower, hill sprints, or bodyweight (burpees, air squats)
5. HRmax CHEAT SHEET (220 – age = estimated max)
|
Age
|
HIIT Zone (90–95%)
|
|---|---|
|
30
|
171–180 bpm
|
|
40
|
162–171 bpm
|
|
50
|
153–162 bpm
|
|
60
|
144–153 bpm
|
No watch? Use RPE:
- 9/10 effort = “I’m dying in 30 sec”
- 6/10 recovery = “I can chat”
6. HIIT + HORMESIS (Why It Works)
|
Stress Signal
|
Adaptive Response
|
Long-Term Win
|
|---|---|---|
|
↑ Lactate
|
↑ PGC-1α, ↑ mito biogenesis
|
+Energy
|
|
↑ ROS (transient)
|
↑ Nrf2 → SOD, GPx
|
+Antioxidant armor
|
|
↑ AMPK
|
↑ Fat oxidation, ↓ mTOR
|
+Fat loss, longevity
|
|
↑ BDNF
|
↑ Neurogenesis
|
+Brain health
|
7. BEGINNER HIIT (Start Here) If 4×4 scares you
|
Week
|
Protocol
|
|---|---|
|
1–2
|
30 sec work / 90 sec walk ×6–8
|
|
3–4
|
45 sec / 75 sec ×8
|
|
5+
|
Graduate to 30/30 or 4×4
|
8. HIIT RED FLAGS (Stop & Recover)
|
Sign
|
Fix
|
|---|---|
|
Dizziness, nausea
|
Hydrate, carbs pre-workout
|
|
HR > 100 bpm after 5 min recovery
|
Deload 1 week
|
|
Joint pain
|
Switch to bike/rower
|
|
Sleep ↓, HRV ↓
|
Cut to 2×/wk
|
9. SAMPLE WEEK (Plug & Play)
|
Day
|
HIIT
|
Recovery
|
|---|---|---|
|
Mon
|
4×4 (bike)
|
Walk 20 min
|
|
Tue
|
Strength (full body)
|
—
|
|
Wed
|
OFF
|
Yoga
|
|
Thu
|
Tabata (bodyweight)
|
—
|
|
Fri
|
4×4 (run)
|
—
|
|
Sat
|
OFF
|
Sauna
|
|
Sun
|
Light Zone 2 (45 min)
|
—
|
10. PRO TIPS
- Pre-HIIT Fuel: 10–20 g carbs (banana) 15 min before
- Post-HIIT: 20 g protein + 30 g carbs within 30 min
- Track: Use Strava or Apple Fitness (HIIT mode)
- Progress: Add 1 interval every 2 weeks
Your First HIIT Session (4 min)
Try this NOW (Tabata):
- 20 sec burpees → 10 sec rest ×8
- Total: 4 min
- Result: ↑EPOC, ↑mitochondria, ↑mood
HIIT = the shortest path to a younger metabolism.
Do 2–3 sessions/wk → feel the difference in 7 days.
TABATA WORKOUT
HIIT VIDEO
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