Extreme Workouts: Taking A Closer Look At This Workout Trend

The fitness industry is one that sees trends come and go with regularity. Most trends will last a few years before fading into obscurity. Some of the more successful one’s can last even longer than that. People are always looking for the newest and most exciting thing, and there are plenty of people ready to provide them with it.

 

In recent years, the most overarching trend in the fitness industry has been that of extreme workouts. Such workouts typically involve high intensity training, sometimes referred to as HIT. These workouts typically involve moving from one exercise to the next with little or no rest in between, usually some form of plyometrics, and sometimes a variety of power-lifting movements. Bodyweight exercises are often emphasized in these workouts, but weights and other resistance training tools such as kettlebells or dumbbells are also often employed.

 

As with many things, there are pros and cons to extreme workouts. So let’s go ahead and take a look at some of the more important ones to consider.

 

PRO: High Intensity = High Caloric Expenditure

When you are working hard and taking very little rest in between exercises, your body is continually burning calories. You’re basically getting more work in less time. It’s not uncommon to burn 2-3 times the calories in a high intensity workout in the same amount of time as a workout at a slower pace with rest periods in between exercises. For this reason, many time strapped people are attracted to these workouts.

 

PRO: Most Major Muscle Groups Get Worked

Most of these types of workouts emphasize multi-joint movements and exercises. This means that more muscles are pulled in during the exercise. For example, lunges work the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings, as do squats. Because of this, by the time a person has completed the workout, he or she has pretty much worked every major muscle group over the course of that workout.

 

PRO: The Workouts Are More Engaging

There’s not a whole lot of time to sit around and get bored doing extreme workouts or high intensity training. By going from one exercise to the next with little or no rest, the time tends to go by fast, the muscles get worked, and calories get expended. For people who tend to get bored easy or just like the idea of staying active throughout the whole workout, the concept of constantly moving can be appealing.

 

CON: Lack Of Individual Instruction

Plyometrics, power-lifting exercises, and resistance exercises are awesome ways to work the body when done properly and no contraindications exist for those doing them. It’s unfortunately very common however that many extreme workouts lack proper individual instruction. Many extreme workouts are done in a circuit training or class like structure and consequently one on one instruction is limited or non-existent. The finer points of individual lifts and movements can be very important. When ignored, doing a movement improperly can result in micro or macro injuries. This simply means you could injure yourself right away, or you could cause long term damage from doing a movement incorrectly workout after workout.

 

CON: Lack Of Attention To Personal Injuries And Health Conditions

There are a lot of great exercises that are appropriate for most people, but some can be flat out dangerous for certain individuals. Certain lifts and exercises can exacerbate any number of problems. Knee, shoulder, and back issues are areas in particular that should receive a good deal of consideration before engaging in power-lifting, plyometrics, and numerous other resistance training exercises. Additionally, anyone who has had heart problems or high blood pressure should seriously consider whether engaging in extreme workouts is appropriate. Consulting with your doctor is highly recommended. Many lifts and movements can raise blood pressure substantially. Not only can resistance training increase blood pressure, but the angle and motion itself can impact blood pressure as well.

 

Final Thoughts On The Trend Toward Extreme Workouts

As it stands right now, extreme workouts are very popular and there are no signs that their popularity will wane any time soon. Many of these workouts can produce great results and are exciting and engaging. Proper form and technique are imperative however to ensure that you do not injure yourself in the short or long term. Make sure you are familiar with proper technique for all power-lifting movements, plyometrics, and resistance training exercises. Double check with your doctor if you have any previous joint problems, or if you have had heart issues or high blood pressure. If you seek out a class, make sure it is taught by a knowledgeable and credentialed instructor.

 

 

Paul Owens is a personal trainer in the Cleveland area. He is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and the National Council on Strength and fitness. He is also a Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He can be reached at http://www.clevelandpersonaltraining.com