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Get Results With High-Intensity Training and LES MILLS GRIT Classes

les-mills-gritThe following is a post sponsored by LES MILLS. For our sponsored post policy, click here.

We are huge fans of high-intensity training (HIIT). Yes, it’s hard — and at times you feel like you can’t breathe and simple tasks like counting to 10 become very, very hard — but you get great results in a very short amount of time. Like, crazy good results. But trying a HIIT workout on your own can be a bit intimidating. What moves should you do? What’s truly “high intensity”? And, really, can you push yourself as hard as you can when you’re working out on your own? For these reasons and so many more, we are huge fans of the new LES MILLS GRIT series of classes.

First, in the classes you the support, camaraderie and accountability of a group. (We have a whole post here on why group fitness rocks.) Second, it’s like getting a premium, personal training-style workout without the expensive price tag. Third, each of these new high-intensity interval training classes — GRIT STRENGTH, CARDIO or PLYO — are all just 30 minutes. Fourth, these classes get you fit — and fast.

In a recent study at Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Jinger Gottschall found that people doing the LES MILLS GRIT Series got better results. Over six weeks, two groups of 42 fit adult exercisers engaged in five hours of quality, professionally designed exercise per week. However, one group substituted one hour of cardio for two 30-minute LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts. Throughout the six weeks aerobic fitness, body composition, functional strength and blood markers were measured. After six weeks, increases in cardiovascular fitness and strength, and decreases in triglycerides, body fat, and waist circumference were recorded by all. But those who did the LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts enjoyed the benefits at more than twice the rate across all measures. Read on for the deets…

Reasons to Try LES MILLS GRIT

  • Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Triglyceride is a type of blood fat that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Study participants doing the LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts recorded an average triglyceride level decrease of 14.5 percent in comparison to those not doing the series who decreased by 3.1 percent over the six-week period.
  • Improves cardio fitness. The rate of oxygen consumption provides an indication of an individual’s level of cardio fitness. Those doing LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts increased their oxygen consumption by 6.4 percent.
  • Promotes weight-loss. Study participants doing LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts saw body fat decreases of an average of 2.1 percent, compared with 0.8 percent for those not doing the LES MILLS workouts. LES MILLS GRIT Series participants also lost on average 2.5 centimeters off their waist circumference over the six weeks.
  • Improves functional strength. The back strength of those doing the LES MILLS GRIT Series workouts improved by an impressive 21.9 percent, compared with 8.4 percent for those not doing the series workouts. After completing the LES MILLS GRIT Series sessions, leg strength increased by 15.7 percent, indicating significant gains in functional strength.

Now those are some results! Interested in trying LES MILLS GRIT? To find a class near you, visit www.lesmills.com and click on “Find a Class” in the menu at the top of your screen. No classes near you? Talk to the management at your local health club and ask them to offer GRIT. They can contact their nearest Les Mills agent for info on how to get started!

Have you ever been to a LES MILLS GRIT class? Ever tried HIIT? Tell us about your hard yet satisfying experience! —Jenn

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!