Whenever you explore the internet hoping to find some sort of workout to implement, you’ll find hundreds if not thousands of training methods and routines with new ones getting invented every day. Believe me when I say that there are some workouts that involve backward running (I’m not even kidding), there is also goat yoga (Whatever that is). It can be quite difficult to say up to date with all the information out there and even more challenging to decide which workout is the right one for you. You may have come across a workout method called HIIT, it’s a unique training method that’s short and effective. But with being said, is it compatible with skinny people? Are HIIT workouts good for ectomorphs?
While HIIT (High-intensity interval training) may not be the most ideal training method for Ectomorphs and skinny people in general, mixing it with a heavy workout routine that’s adapted to your body type can have a lot of benefits. It can build strength and improve endurance.
In this article, we’ll learn what HIIT workouts are, their benefits for the Ectomorph body type, and whether or not you should implement them in your training program.
Table of Contents
HIIT, What Is That?
HIIT (Which sounds like hitting a football) refers to high-intensity interval training. It’s a unique method of training that involves a combination of short periods of intense exercises followed by a low-interval and long recovery time. Its ultimate goal is to be as efficient as possible during the least amount of time. To put this into perspective, let’s give an example of a HIIT workout: Jump roping as fast as you can for 2 minutes then resting or slowing down your pace for 3 minutes after that. Repeat that process 5 times for a total of 25 min and you got yourself a HIIT workout.
Sounds simple right? The exercises performed during a HIIT workout don’t only include jump roping, but can also vary from running, sprinting, cycling, and many other bodyweight exercises. And usual HIIT workouts last about 10 to 45 minutes (Which is the most efficient time to train as an Ectomorph) and this is the beauty of them and what makes them so unique. They can provide efficient results with little time invested.
What Are The Benefits Of HIIT Workouts For Ectomorphs?
There are several benefits of implementing a HIIT working in your training routine, here are 5 of them:
It’s Time-Efficient
Everyone is busy these days. Whether it’s your work, family, or school, people barely find any time to do the things they like. I’m sure that you barely found time to read this article, that’s why I’ll keep it as short as possible and with the most useful information. HIIT is the ultimate training method if you’re on a tight schedule. Because of its low duration, you can even fit it during your lunch break, or even before you sleep. I can go as far as to say that doing a HIIT workout for a mere 10 minutes 3 times a week is better than jogging for 1 hour. Even if you can only afford 10 minutes from your day, you can still fit a good HIIT workout into it which will greatly benefit you.
It Pumps Your Heart
Since HIIT workouts are usually fast-paced, your body will barely have enough time to recover. This means that it will use the energy sources that are already stored in it instead of oxygen, which will push you into your anaerobic threshold. In the example of running, those short sprints will force your muscle to use glucose anaerobically since there is barely any time for oxygen to help in this matter. What will this do? This will greatly increase your anaerobic threshold which is a fancy way of saying that it will improve your body and heart and make them withstand more intense workouts. I guarantee you that with regular HIIT training, you’ll be able to ride your bike for longer periods of time, run for longer distances, and have a healthier body overall.
Read more: Do Ectomorphs Recover Faster, Do Ectomorphs Live Longer.
It Doesn’t Require Any Equipements
This is why I love this method of training and why it’s accessible for everybody. HIIT workouts can be performed without using any equipment. Whether you’re running, biking, or jump roping (You do need a jump rope in this case), you’ll barely need anything to get started. Most movements will only require you to get your heart rate up at a fast rate in order to benefit from it. And this can be achieved with just your body and your mindset. Here is a great example of a HIIT workout that doesn’t require any equipment:
It’s Challenging
If you’re the type of person that loves a challenge and always looks for new ways to push yourself to your limits, then HIIT workouts are your way to go. They aren’t the type of workouts that you can easily do while scrolling your phone or talking to your friends. And that’s the whole point of this training method. Because you’re doing intense exercises for a short period, you’ll barely have enough time to think about anything else. This will offer you a new challenge that can be very rewarding if you manage to get through it.
Read more: Should Ectomorphs Lift Heavy, Are Full-Body Workouts Good For Ectomorphs?
It Can Be Performed Anywhere
Whether it’s at home, your favorite park, the gym, or even during your lunch break at work, HIIT workouts can be performed anywhere you go. Since they only focus on doing maximum effort during a short period and are followed by recovery time, they can be achieved easily at any place you feel comfortable in. And what’s best about them, is that you can modify and adapt them according to your surroundings. This means that if you’re in a tight space, you’ll only do certain movements that can be done in it and stay efficient and have the same benefits.
Read more: Ectomorph Home Workout.
How To Implement HIIT Workouts Into Your Training Routine As Ectomorphs
The bad thing about HIIT workouts is that it burns a lot of calories which is not really good for Ectomorphs and skinny people since they need every last calorie in order to gain weight and build muscles. So the way I approach this is simple. If you read my Ectomorph workout plan, you know that I recommend training 3 times a week. Once a week, I implement HIIT training as a quick warm-up for my workout session. This is a great way if you’re looking for a quick and efficient way to prepare your muscles for the intense workload that you’re about to put them through since you’ll be lifting heavy.
Conclusion:
Now that you know the benefits of HIIT workouts, you’ll be able to clearly decide whether or not you want to implement them into your Ectomorph workout routine to reap its many benefits. I hope you found my article useful and make sure to check out the benefits of other training methods such as yoga, german volume training, and pilates.