5 Reasons HIIT is NOT Right For You

5 Reasons HIIT is NOT Right For You
Illustration of HIIT. Credits: Freepik

Share :


HIIT training is said to be a more effective exercise for people who want to lose weight quickly. HIIT workouts are also very suitable for people who don't have much time to exercise regularly.

Unfortunately, not everyone is suitable for HIIT training. Who should not undergo HIIT training?

 

What is HIIT Training?

HIIT training stands for High Intensity Interval Training. As the term suggests, HIIT is a form of exercise that consists of short periods of intense exercise followed by rest and low-intensity exercise.

These periods of intense exercise vary, ranging from less than 45 seconds to several minutes. The exercise is interspersed with rest and light exercise for the same period, then the sequence is repeated.

Unlike workouts that can take 30-60 minutes, HIIT requires a shorter workout time. In a single workout, the total HIIT workout time may be around 15-20 minutes only. Although the duration is very short, the benefits are numerous.

HIIT is a practical workout option for people who have busy schedules and find it difficult to commit to long training sessions.

 

People With These Conditions Should Not Do HIIT

Although HIIT provides a variety of benefits, not everyone is suitable for HIIT. Here are some conditions where you should not try HIIT:

 

Patients with heart problems

HIIT is a great exercise for those who are young and healthy. If you are older or have heart problems, then it is not safe to practice HIIT.

With a history of heart disease, you will need to get close monitoring when trying HIIT workouts. You may also need to do a stress test to make sure you don't have symptoms like chest pain that would make HIIT a dangerous exercise.

 

Never exercised before

People who have never exercised should avoid HIIT training. If you suddenly engage in high-intensity exercise without having a regular exercise regimen, the risk of injury and muscle strain increases. This condition is similar to someone who exercises without warming up. They tend to get injured more easily.

 

Currently injured or on recovery from an injury

People with muscle, joint, tendon, or ligament injuries or recovering from such injuries should not do HIIT training. Exercise can be resumed when fully recovered from the injury so as not to aggravate the injury or cause re-injury.

People with knee injuries, for example, are advised to exercise such as swimming, upper body exercises, walking on a treadmill, or strengthening the upper body with a rowing machine.

 

Being pregnant

Pregnant women in good health need moderate exercise, such as walking for 30 minutes five times a week. Walking is a good exercise during pregnancy as it puts minimal pressure on the joints. You can also try swimming or stationary cycling as long as you maintain a relatively low load.

 

Recently given birth

Mothers who have just given birth vaginally can start exercising anytime after giving birth, provided they do not have any complaints or health conditions. Meanwhile, mothers who give birth by cesarean section must wait at least 3-6 months to return to exercise.

Exercise that is suitable after childbirth is low- or moderate-intensity exercise. You can divide your exercise time by 150 minutes a week, meaning 30 minutes every day five times a week, or divide it into smaller portions for seven days.

 

Exercise after childbirth helps improve sleep, cope with stress, help lose extra weight, strengthen the body and abdominal muscles, and increase energy. However, how long, when to start exercising, and what type of exercise is safe for you, should be discussed with your doctor. Avoid high-intensity exercise such as HIIT until your body is fully recovered. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

 

Looking for more tips and tricks for health, first aid, and other home remedies? Click Here!

Writer : Agatha Writer
Editor :
  • dr. Siti Marsiana Meriam
Last Updated : Wednesday, 19 February 2025 | 11:16

Beth Sissons (2020). What are the benefits of high intensity interval training (HIIT)?. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327474

Grant Tinslet, PhD, CSCS,CISSN and Tayler Read, BSc, CPT (2021).
7 Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-hiit

Julie Corliss (2021). High-intensity exercise and your heart. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/high-intensity-exercise-and-your-heart

Medline Plus (2020). How to avoid exercise injuries. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000859.htm

Paige Waehner, CPT (2020). Best Cardio Workouts and Exercises for Bad Knees. Available from: https://www.verywellfit.com/best-cardio-workouts-and-exercises-for-bad-knees-4138372

Mayo Clinic (2021). Pregnancy and exercise: Baby, let's move!. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-and-exercise/art-20046896

Mayo Clinic (2021). Exercise after pregnancy: How to get started. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/exercise-after-pregnancy/art-20044596

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (2022). Exercise After Pregnancy. Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-after-pregnancy