1000 Calories Per Hour? FACT vs. FICTION

So the claim is that HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is the most effective way to burn calories and that it is possible to burn 1000 calories in a one hour training session. Is this claim true or is this some sales pitch to get you in the door? Let's check the research to see what is fact and fiction.

1) Research from the Human Performance Laboratory of the University of Wisconsin revealed body weight exercise in the form of HIIT, had the potential to burn more calories than any other form of exercise. So far, so good.

2) The 2013 study demonstrated that participants burned on "AVERAGE"  15 calories a minute. That's twice what you would burn on a long jog.

3) The key is the amount of effort used during the exercise period. One must push for max effort followed by active recovery, then repeated over the hour. Sound familiar?  Yes you need to sweat and at times be uncomfortable but the results will be worth it.

4) SO, let's do the math (don't worry I have a calculator). The average burned was 15 calories per minute, meaning the average can be higher or lower dependent on ones willingness to push it to the max. For simplicity we will use the average knowing some of you will be higher.

                                60 minute...........................................60

                                average calories burned................15 x

                                                                                     ____

                                                                                      900

So there you have it, proof with the right form of exercise and "max effort" you really can burn roughly 1000 calories per hour.