A lot of people are aware of the benefits of HIIT workouts, which often leads to LISS (low intensity steady state) cardio being overshadowed. LISS cardio has many of its own benefits however, which is why I like to fit a least one session of LISS cardio into my week. Typically, you should perform LISS cardio for between 30-60 minutes per session, during which the fat-burning commences at around the 20 minute mark. Unlike HITT, which involves a series of short breaks, LISS cardio is consistent exercise for the entire time, at a lower intensity. Nearly any cardiovascular exercise can be included in a LISS workout, such as running, swimming and cycling. Here are the top benefits of LISS cardio:
- Burns calories.Whilst you may not burn as many calories as you would in a HIIT session, you will still burn far more than you would sat at home. This less intense form of exercise means you can exercise for longer periods of time without putting such a great toll on the body, so the calories you burn start to add up in the end.
- Increases aerobic fitness. LISS is also great for increasing stamina and endurance.
- Speeds up recovery. HIIT can be quite demanding on the body, which is why you continue to burn calories even after the workout is complete. It is also quite taxing on the central nervous system, and is harder to recover from. LISS cardio helps to boost blood flow to muscles helping them repair quicker, and speeding up recovery time.
Fitness & Nutrition 