C6 Tuesday, December 31, 2013
FITNESS & WELL-BEING
HARD PRESSED No time for those stress-relieving gym marathons? High intensity interval training is the top fitness trend for 2014, writes Jeanette Wang
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f “I’m too busy” or “I’ve no time” have been your reasons for shirking exercise, here’s the truth: they’re really bad excuses. Getting in shape – and staying that way – doesn’t require long hours at the gym. These days, supported by evidence from a growing pile of scientific studies, short and sharp workouts are becoming increasingly popular. Research shows they can be as effective as longer workouts for weight loss and athletic performance. High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, involves repeated short bouts of vigorous exercises that push you to your limit, with only short rests in between each, explains Ray Loh, an exercise physiologist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Sports Medicine and Surgery Clinic in Singapore. In a recent survey of 3,815 health and fitness industry professionals from around the world conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine, HIIT was identified
as the top trend for next year. This is all the more remarkable considering it did not even make the top 20 in the previous seven editions of the annual survey. Gyms in Hong Kong have been quick to hop on the trend. Flex Studio at Wong Chuk Hang will launch a new Sculpt and Burn class next week that’s based on HIIT principles. Torq Cycle, a dedicated indoor cycling gym in Central, puts a spin on the typical spin class with a hybrid called TORQCore that combines 20 minutes of HIIT on the bike, 20 minutes of abdominal exercises and 10 minutes of stretching. Loh says research has shown that the training improves aerobic capacity. It is also effective for burning fat, toning muscle, losing weight and for boosting your metabolic rate – meaning you will use more calories even when at rest. “Your heart rate is maintained at a raised level even hours after the workout has ended. High-intensity exercise also causes more stress to the muscles, which, in turn, induces more repair and building to the muscles,” says Loh. “HIIT is time efficient – it reduces the amount of time needed to get the same results.” There are many types of workouts, but in general they share basic principles: an intensity that is close to maximum, and bouts of work that range from five seconds to eight minutes. This can be applied to almost all
Press-ups test out participants in a fitness class in Hong Kong Park in Central. Photo: K.Y. Cheng sports, from running to cycling, stair-climbing, weightlifting and more. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in May revealed their version of HIIT called “4x4 training”: four minutes of work and three minutes of rest, repeated four times. In their study published in the journal PLOS ONE, after doing the workout three times a week for 10 weeks, the participants – overweight but otherwise healthy men – showed increased
Hottest fitness trends for 2014 Taking the fitness community by storm this year, high intensity interval training (HIIT) emerged at the top of the American College of Sports Medicine’s 2014 fitness trends survey. It was not only HIIT’s first appearance on the charts, but it also took the spot previously held since 2008 by educated, certified and experienced fitness professionals. Four trends that appeared to be strong for several years have dropped off the list, a sign which the report authors say “supports the theory that these were fads and not trends”. The four are: Zumba, Pilates, spinning and stability ball. More than 3,800 health and fitness professionals completed the annual survey, which is now
in its eighth year. Here are the other top trends for 2014. 2. Body weight training Making its debut on the list, body weight training uses minimal equipment and is therefore more affordable than other exercises. This trend allows people to get “back to the basics” with fitness. 3. Certified and experienced fitness professionals It’s important that consumers choose professionals certified through programmes accredited by trusted fitness organisations. 4. Strength training Together with aerobic exercise and flexibility this is an essential part of a complete physical programme for all activity levels and genders.
5. Exercise and weight loss Health and fitness professionals who provide weight loss programmes are increasingly incorporating regular exercise and caloric restriction for better weight control in their clients.
appropriate programmes to keep older adults healthy and active. 8. Functional fitness This involves strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programmes for older adults are closely related.
6. Personal training Education, training and proper credentials for personal trainers have become increasingly important to the health and fitness facilities that employ them.
9. Group personal training In challenging economic times, many personal trainers are offering more group training options – which are more economical for trainer and client.
7. Fitness programmes for older adults As the baby boom generation ages into retirement, many health and fitness professionals are taking the time to create age-
10. Yoga This includes various forms such as Power Yoga, Yogalates, Bikram, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kripalu, Anurara, Kundalini, Sivananda and others.
These types of programmes can offer a good option to help busy individuals HUMAN PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE
aerobic capacity and lower risk of heart disease. Another workout involves seven minutes of high-intensity circuit training consisting of 12 body-weight exercises – such as squats, planks and lunges – each done for 30 seconds with 10 seconds rest in between. The circuit, designed by experts at the Human Performance Institute in Florida, is repeated two to three times. Flex Studio’s Sculpt and Burn class is based on the Tabata Protocol, a training method that was first tested on the Japanese Olympic speedskating team in the 1990s. The namesake of its
creator Dr Izumi Tabata, the method takes just four minutes: 20 seconds of all-out effort, 10 seconds of rest, repeated eight times. “All-out” refers to an effort that is 170 per cent of your maximal oxygen uptake. The last few repeats should feel “impossibly hard”, according to Tabata. In a small experiment conducted by Tabata, moderately trained students were split into two groups: one did an hour of steady cardio on a stationary bike five times a week, the other doing a 10-minute warm-up on the bike, followed by four minutes of Tabata
intervals, four times a week. In addition the Tabata group also did one 30-minute session of steady exercise with two minutes of intervals. After six weeks of testing, the Tabata group increased their anaerobic capacity by 28 per cent and maximal oxygen uptake by 15 per cent. The other group had a 10 per cent increase in maximal oxygen uptake but saw no changes to their anaerobic capacity. “As the hectic pace of today’s corporate world continues to infringe on the amount of time individuals have for exercise, these types of programmes can offer a good option to help busy individuals improve their health and recover from stress via exercise,” say Human Performance Institute experts in their report in the May/June 2013 issue of the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. There is a catch, however. If you’re out of shape – be honest now – you’ll need to first build a fitness base and learn good movement patterns before easing into HIIT progressively. As the ACSM states in their 2014 fitness trends report, many survey respondents warned about the potential dangers of HIIT, such as high injury rates. “As the stress level of HIIT is very high, it might not be suitable for everyone,” says Loh. “Beginners who are low in fitness level or muscular strength are not advised to start a HIIT programme as it will be less effective and increases the risk of injury. “People who have been leading a sedentary lifestyle, those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, respiratory problems, a family history of heart problems, and those who are injury-prone should consult a sports physician before starting any HIIT.” Loh also recommends doing HIIT only two to three times a week and on non-consecutive days because the body needs time to rest and recover. Personal trainer Ian Tan was inspired to start his own HIIT gym called Ritual in Singapore earlier this year after dealing with busy clients. A workout consists of functional exercises (movements that mimic activities in daily life) using kettlebells, dumb-bells and suspension bands. You’re done in 20 minutes – tops. “In my opinion, it is the way of the future because people are only going to get busier and more stressed out,” says Tan. jeanette.wang@scmp.com
WE RUN HK ............................................. Rachel Jacqueline life@scmp.com The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, which started in 1997 with a humble 1,000 runners, has grown into a running festival for the city, with 73,000 racers expected to take part next year. To celebrate the city’s passion for the sport, we’ll be featuring one inspirational local runner each week until the race on February 16. Lucia Lai always dreamed of encouraging others to live a better life. Growing up, she planned to become a psychologist, but life took a different
turn two years ago when a she was hit by a car, tragically losing her right leg. The irrepressibly positive Lai took her challenging circumstance in her new stride. Fitted with a prosthetic leg, she threw herself into a variety of different sports, finally settling on running. Through running, the 22-year-old Runners Lucia Lai (left) and Davis Dai at Tsing Yi Sports Ground. Photo: Edmond So
student has found a new path to achieving her goal. She ran the 10 kilometre event at this year’s Hong Kong Marathon for the first time on her new leg with overwhelming public support. Lai is returning to the course next year to better her time of one hour 29 minutes, and says she’s more determined than ever to encourage others to live a more positive life. I was active growing up, but I didn’t really run a lot before my accident. After I was finally discharged from hospital and had completely recovered, I felt bored and wanted to change my situation. So I tried many different exercises including dancing, cycling and climbing.
I thought to myself, why not try running? So I asked my prosthetic technician to make me a running prosthesis. I started running in my neighbourhood in Tsing Yi. I found running, despite my ability, the perfect way to inspire others. Running the 10 kilometre race at the Hong Kong Marathon next year is also a way to thank everyone involved in my rehabilitation for their care and effort in supporting me. Because my running prosthesis has no toe, my leg runs basically on a spring, like elastic. When I started running I found that my centre of gravity was over my left leg and my two feet were very uncoordinated.
In the beginning, putting on the running prosthesis was very painful. I thought of giving up. But I always believe I need to do better; I need to be strong for my friends and parents who have supported me. When I’m going through tough times I recite to myself the lyrics from a J.Arie song called First Choice: “How many times have you thought of giving up. How many times have you ignored the pain? If you can fight, fight ’til the end.” Running makes me healthier. After a run, my mind is more focused and I feel more organised. I run three times a week. My family has also started to join me on my runs. Being
able to enjoy a run together makes me very happy. Because of running, I have a better understanding of what I want to achieve in life. Without running – and, of course, thanks to my prosthetic technician for giving me a running leg – I couldn’t have gained support from the public. If I didn’t run, I wouldn’t have discovered that running could have such a positive influence. I also wouldn’t have had the chance to share my positive energy with the Hong Kong public so quickly and broadly. Before running, I didn’t know I could achieve so many things; I have become tougher and braver.