GRIT Training: What is it and why should I do it?

GRIT is LesMills newest program.  It has 3 parts: Strength, Cardio, and Plyo.  Each section is 30 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).  The work is tough but it’s over quickly and it gives great results!

GRIT Strength builds strength and muscle.

• Uses barbels, plates and the bench to take training to the next level
• Blasts all major muscle groups leaving muscles shaped and toned
• Puts your metabolism in overdrive to burn fat for hours after the workout
• Stimulates the production of natural growth hormone which reduces fat and helps you develop lean muscle

GRIT Plyo builds a powerful, agile, athletic body.

• Based on the principles of plyometrics, uses a bench to build power, increase speed and leg strength
• Power agility training transforms up to 40% more muscle fiber, producing a lean, athletic shape
• Increases muscular endurance; intensify your energy and increase your stamina for a competitive or sports event

GRIT Cardio burns fat and rapidly improves athletic capacity.

• No equipment needed, this session combines high impact body weight exercise with an explosive workout
• Get the double whammy of maximizing your calorie burn within the workout, followed by fat burning for hours afterwards
• Cardio is scientifically proven to deliver results, fast

-source: http://w3.lesmills.com/media/198515/get_lesmills_grit_series_now.pdf

LesMills GRIT series is based on HIIT – repeated bouts of moderate intensity exercise for a moderate duration interspersed with short bursts of very high intensity exercise.  There are 4 benefits of this type of exercises that separate it from regular “steady-state” moderate intensity exercise.

1. High Intensity Training unlocks the EPOC effect (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) aka the “afterburn”.  When you exercise at a high enough intensity, you keep burning calories at a higher rate for several hours after you’ve stopped exercising.
2. High Intensity exercises has been shown to be more effective for fat loss than low intensity exercise.
3. Exercise intensity is directly linked to growth hormone production.  The higher the exercise intensity, the more human growth hormone is produced.  Human growth hormone stimulates muscle protein synthesis and the burning of fat – resulting in an increase of lean muscle and a reduction of body fat.
4. There are positive changes in aerobic fitness with High Intensity Interval Training.  People get fitter faster when then train at high intensities than they do when they exercise at a moderate intensity steady state

To learn more about the science behind LesMills Grit Series, you can read the full research report at http://www.lesmills.com/global/research/our-science.aspx.