High intensity workouts nowadays are referred to as HIIT workouts: High Intensity Interval Training. They are short intervals of maximum intensity exercise separated by longer intervals of low to moderate intensity exercise. Compared to long endurance training, HIIT workouts increase the amount of calories you burn during and after exercise, because the body needs more time and energy to recover. In the midst of weight-loss, people tend to lose muscle tone. High intensity workouts limit that muscle loss, as they use more muscles in the body. These workouts require your body to use more fat as fuel, making them optimal for weight loss and muscle gain. They also yield better insulin response, which is helpful for avoiding, or enduring less of, the dreaded “food coma” or “itis”. High intensity training is amazing for pushing athletes out of a plateau. This is because each workout pushes them to their limits.

OctaSlider is the perfect kind of workout for high intensity interval training. With workouts lasting 8 minutes, they require incredibly intense bursts of energy. If you can last a month, you will see definite results. The beauty of this is that you can fit it into your schedule at any time of the day. Do it in the morning, during your lunch break, in between classes, after work, or before bed. You could even do it more than once a day (we dare you). Do you have 8 minutes?