{"id":421,"date":"2022-01-04T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=417770"},"modified":"2022-01-04T12:18:32","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:18:32","slug":"interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists\/","title":{"rendered":"Interval training: HIIT workouts for cyclists"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Charlie Allenby\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 04 January 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">HIIT (high-intensity interval training) has swept the fitness world in recent years and the workouts are now a staple of gym classes and <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/top-5-indoor-training-tips\/&quot;\">indoor training<\/a> routines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">HIIT workouts are recognised as a way of <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-many-calories-does-cycling-burn\/&quot;\">burning a lot of calories<\/a> in a short amount of time, so it\u2019s easy to see why they are a favourite of time-poor gym-goers looking to squeeze the most out of their training.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">But HIIT needn\u2019t be limited to weight-based activities and gym sessions, the benefits can be felt for <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/60-minute-turbo-training-sessions\/&quot;\">time-crunched cyclists<\/a>, too. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Here\u2019s everything you need to know about high-intensity interval training, the benefits and how you can include HIIT in your training plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;Top\" indoor=\"\" training=\"\" tips=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hqpNkfDOtI8?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<h2>What is high-intensity interval training (HIIT)?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-406464\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2019\/10\/20191018_SB_5DSR_MG_8435-0d11948.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;Elite\" suito=\"\" smart=\"\" turbo=\"\" trainer=\"\" title=\"&quot;Elite\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> High-intensity interval training has become extremely popular in recent years.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"> <i>Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">A HIIT workout intersperses short intervals of exercise at an effort level close to maximum with periods of recovery. When applied to cycling, there is no one set way to perform a HIIT workout, with different sessions offering different benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cThe duration of efforts could be from a couple of seconds up to a minute or more,\u201d explains Matt Rowe of<\/span> <a href=\"\/\/roweandking.com&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Rowe &amp; King Cycle Coaching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">.<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\"> \u201cThere\u2019s no real hard or fast definition of it, other than you\u2019ve got to be cycling hard and with great intensity on and off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cYou can make it as structured or unstructured as you like. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/improve-your-cycling-in-just-seven-days\/&quot;\">Fartlek<\/a> training is seemingly random efforts, and that\u2019s a form of HIIT training.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What are the benefits and drawbacks of HIIT?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-638296\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/07\/MG_9257-3ba6100.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;Cycling\" hard=\"\" in=\"\" aerodynamic=\"\" position=\"\" title=\"&quot;Cycling\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> HIIT sessions provide bang for your buck, but they aren\u2019t miracle workouts.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"> <i>Felix Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Benefits<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">One of the biggest benefits of a HIIT workout is the short amount of time it takes to complete a session.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cIt allows you to accumulate a lot of high-quality work at that top end of your fitness and really maximises the bang for your buck from any training session,\u201d says Dr David Nichols, cycle training consultant for Wattbike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Most sessions can be done in an hour or less and are easy to do on the turbo trainer, so you can squeeze a ride in with long-lasting benefits from the comfort of your own home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cIf you\u2019re time-poor, you\u2019ve got to be smart with what you do have,\u201d says Matt Bottrill of <\/span><a href=\"\/\/www.mattbottrillperformancecoaching.com\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener noopener noreferrer\" noreferrer=\"\"><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">It\u2019s possible to see a tangible training benefit from a session as short as 30 or 40 minutes, according to Bottrill, but he warns against over-reliance on HIIT workouts. \u201cYou can\u2019t do it every day,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not feasibly possible because you can\u2019t hit that high intensity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">The intensity of HIIT workouts can also help you to target the top-end training that might otherwise be missing from your rides, complementing your <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/base-training-cycling\/&quot;\">base training<\/a> or <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/sweetspot-training\/&quot;\">sweetspot intervals<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cWhen you go out cycling, most people ride steady and they think they\u2019re going quite hard,\u201d says Rowe. \u201cBut you\u2019re not really engaging your fast-twitch muscle fibres that much.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cThe fast-twitch fibres can make all the difference in cycling. If you need to get up a climb and use a big surge in effort, that\u2019s your fast-twitch fibres that you\u2019re relying on. HIIT training does that perfectly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Because HIIT intervals are short, they enable you to accumulate a lot of time at an intensity above what you\u2019d otherwise be able to sustain in continuous blocks. That, in turn, helps improve your <\/span><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/vo2-max\/&quot;\"><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">VO2 max<\/span><\/a><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\"> and <\/span><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/what-is-ftp-and-why-it-matters-for-cyclists\/&quot;\"><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">threshold power,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\"> according to Nichols.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Drawbacks<b><br\/><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">While high-intensity interval training is time-efficient and provides plenty of bang for your buck, it isn\u2019t a miracle session that can simply replace all of the other workouts in your <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-to-plan-your-winter-training\/&quot;\">training plan<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Due to the nature of HIIT workouts, you need to be able to train at extremely high intensities during each session, and therefore need to <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/the-basics-of-recovery-explained\/&quot;\">recover properly<\/a> between workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cThere\u2019s no point in doing a top-end training session if you go into it so fatigued that you can\u2019t reach the top end \u2013 you just end up training in that middle ground,\u201d explains Nichols.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cBy incorporating HIIT, you\u2019ve got to be a bit smarter \u2013 are you going to have a rest day before it? What is your training session going to look like after that? You can\u2019t just keep periodically smashing yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Nichols recommends two HIIT sessions a week \u2013 and a maximum of three \u2013 otherwise you risk <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/overtraining-syndrome\/&quot;\">overtraining<\/a>. \u201cYou can have too much of a good thing,\u201d he adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">If you do decide to add HIIT workouts to your training, Rowe says it\u2019s important to not neglect the rest of your riding. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">If you purely do HIIT training, you\u2019re going to struggle with your <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/5-ways-to-improve-your-cycling-endurance\/&quot;\">endurance<\/a> because it\u2019s all about short, sharp efforts,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Bottrill agrees, adding that you still need to be logging the miles to see the true benefits of HIIT workouts translated on the road. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">You\u2019ve still got to do that endurance base,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">He also recommends keeping HIIT to a limited phase of a training block when you want to sharpen your fitness, because of how mentally challenging sessions can be. \u201cThe hardest bit is your head,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cThe sessions take a lot out of you. You can find it very hard to then complete the next session. If you\u2019re going to do that type of training, you\u2019d probably want to build a six-week phase of it. Any more and you can\u2019t go as deep mentally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Indoors or outdoors?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=298%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=298%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=403%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=403%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=553%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=553%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=406%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=406%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-627716\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2021\/04\/Giant-Contend-AR3-04-48d112d.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;Female\" cyclist=\"\" riding=\"\" the=\"\" giant=\"\" contend=\"\" ar3=\"\" road=\"\" bike=\"\" title=\"&quot;Giant\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> HIIT workouts can take place indoors or outdoors, though the turbo trainer is most convenient.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"> <i>Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">While HIIT training can be done both <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/indoor-vs-outdoor-cycle-training\/&quot;\">indoors or outdoors<\/a>, all the coaches we spoke to leaned towards an indoor setting on a turbo trainer or <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/indoor-bikes\/&quot;\">smart bike<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cI personally prefer to do it indoors,\u201d says Wattbike\u2019s Nichols. \u201cIt\u2019s convenient, set up ready to go and there\u2019s no time-wasting. <\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Doing it outdoors can negate the time effectiveness of HIIT.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As well as <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-to-take-ftp-test-zwift\/&quot;\">FTP and ramp tests<\/a>, the latest <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-indoor-cycling-apps\/&quot;\">indoor cycling apps<\/a> offer structured <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/best-workouts-training-plans-zwift\/&quot;\">workouts and training plans<\/a>, many of which include HIIT-style interval sessions. The <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/buyers-guides\/best-smart-trainer\/&quot;\">best smart trainers<\/a> can control the resistance for each interval, ensuring you hit the numbers required to <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/how-to-get-fit-fast\/&quot;\">get fit fast<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">If you do opt to train outside, Bottrill recommends planning a circuit that is either flat or uphill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cYou don\u2019t want it to be too undulating and you want to control the environment,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s where a hill comes good \u2013 you can ascend a climb that\u2019s three to four minutes and then recover on the descent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Rowe adds that it\u2019s also possible to turn your commute into a HIIT workout, albeit an unstructured fartlek-style session: \u201c<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Maybe as part of your commute, you could sprint to a signpost and do seemingly random efforts like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Of course, as with any high-intensity ride outside, make sure you are paying full attention to your surroundings at all times.<\/p>\n<h2>How can I include HIIT in my training plan?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=298%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=298%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=403%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=403%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=553%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=553%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=406%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=406%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-607645\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2020\/11\/Two-cyclists-summer_Robert-Smith-2019_gravel_female-5842534-e1618223081331.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=619%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk&quot;\" title=\"&quot;www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> Interval training is ideal for fine-tuning your summer fitness.<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"> <i>Robert Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">As we\u2019ve already covered, it\u2019s possible to have too much of a good thing with high-intensity interval training, so it\u2019s recommended to stick to a maximum of two to three sessions per week interspersed with longer endurance rides to really see the benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">However, f<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">or riders who can only squeeze in a short session around other commitments, Rowe would always recommend a HIIT workout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cA well-rounded training plan touches on all different attributes,\u201d he says.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">Sweetspot sessions<\/span><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\"> are great, but at least once a week you should be doing some top-end work. The frequency at which you do it is very personal, but in the winter you have to do whatever you can in the amount of time you\u2019ve got. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cIf you\u2019ve only got 40 minutes to train, in that 40 minutes you might as well ride hard, so HIIT works for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">The fatigue-inducing nature of HIIT workouts makes it advisable to plan your sessions in advance to avoid overtraining. Nichols recommends scheduling your HIIT sessions around easy or rest days, and using a weekend ride to work on your endurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cA ride at the weekend is going to be your long endurance ride, maybe a club run or group ride,\u201d he says. \u201cOutside of that, you can do two midweek interval sessions. These are your absolute high-effort, high-intensity training sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"&quot;font-weight:\">\u201cIf that\u2019s Tuesday and Thursday, you\u2019re going to have Monday and Wednesday easy because you\u2019ve got to schedule that recovery in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"&quot;highlight\"><div class=\"&quot;highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <h2>Two example HIIT workouts for cyclists<\/h2>\n<h3>Matt Rowe\u2019s HIIT pyramid<\/h3>\n<p>Each \u2018on\u2019 interval should be in zone five if you <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/advice\/fitness-and-training\/power-vs-heart-rate\/&quot;\">train with a power meter<\/a>. Rowe recommends doing 1, 1.5 or 2 pyramids, depending on how much time you have.<\/p>\n<p>10-minute warm-up<\/p>\n<p>10 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n50 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>20 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n40 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>30 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n30 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>40 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n20 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>50 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n10 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>60 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n60 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>50 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n10 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>40 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n20 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>30 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n30 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>20 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n40 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>10 seconds on (zone 5)<br\/>\n50 seconds off (zone 1)<\/p>\n<p>5-minute cool down<\/p>\n<h3>Dr David Nichols\u2019 5\u00d75<\/h3>\n<p>While the intervals here are longer than a typical HIIT session, Nichols describes this workout as \u201can absolute classic that all WorldTour riders are doing\u201d. If you want to increase the difficulty further, he recommends \u2018pre-loading\u2019 the VO2 intervals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRather than doing a consistent five-minute interval at VO2 max, you could start the first minute exceptionally hard \u2013 harder than you want to be going,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDigging really deep at the start and almost hanging on is a really great way of getting you up to VO2 max quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>10-minute warm-up<br\/>\n5 minutes at VO2 max power (110\u2013120% of FTP)<br\/>\n5-minute recovery (zone one, total recovery)<br\/>\n(repeat five times)<br\/>\n5-minute cool down<\/p>\n<p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Charlie Allenby Published: Tuesday, 04 January 2022 at 12:00 am HIIT (high-intensity interval training) has swept the fitness world in recent years and the workouts are now a staple of gym classes and indoor training routines. HIIT workouts are recognised as a way of burning a lot of calories in a short amount of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":422,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists.jpg",1920,1280,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/01\/interval-training-hiit-workouts-for-cyclists.jpg",1920,1280,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Charlie Allenby Published: Tuesday, 04 January 2022 at 12:00 am HIIT (high-intensity interval training) has swept the fitness world in recent years and the workouts are now a staple of gym classes and indoor training routines. HIIT workouts are recognised as a way of burning a lot of calories in a short amount of&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/421"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}