FITNESS KATE CRACKNELL » EDITOR » HEALTH CLUB MANAGEMENT
There’s been a surge in interest in short, but intense exercise regimes – known as high-intensity interval training – in the fitness sector. We investigate the background and benefits of this protocol for spas
SHORT STORY I
HIT training principles have been used by athletes the world over since the 1930s
n the last few years, the health and fitness industry has seen the emergence of a number of shorter, results-driven workout concepts for
‘time poor’ consumers. Women-only franchises Curves and Vivafit have offered a 30-minute, circuit-based
workout for some time, but are now being joined by the likes of Fit n Fast in Australia, where Quickie workouts are available in activities such as cycling, boxing and circuits – and where the intensity is being ramped up to challenge a younger demographic. From a fitness equipment supplier per-
spective, milon’s eccentric and concentric resistance equipment has been designed to maximise results via a circuit workout that takes around 30 minutes. Power Plate also recently demonstrated a 20-minute concept which combines its vibration training plat- form with its new powerBIKE with vibrating pedals. Classes are getting shorter.
AN ELITE HERITAGE Tey’re also getting tougher. Because what this is all leading to is the emergence of HIT (high-intensity interval training). Or should we say re-emergence? Aſter all, in essence HIT is a training method that’s been around for many years in the elite sports arena. Interval training in its modern form dates
back to the 1930s, when Woldemar Gersch- ler (Germany) and Gosta Holmer (Sweden) used it to enhance the performance of their national teams. And in Finland, Lauri Pikhala was creating interval training programmes for runner Paavo Nurmi back in 1910. Holmer dubbed the approach fartlek –
The milon circuit uses traffic lights to take exercisers through a 30 minute workout 84 Read Spa Business online
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Swedish for ‘speed play’ – thanks to the use of ‘faster than race’ pace. Concentrating on simultaneous speed/endurance training, the training protocol puts stress on both aero-
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