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REHIT: How Short Bursts of Exercise Lead to Lasting Health and Fitness

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REHIT: How Short Bursts of Exercise Lead to Lasting Health and Fitness

Are you looking for a way to achieve lasting health and fitness without spending hours at the gym? Meet REHIT: Reduced Exertion High-Intensity Training. 

This revolutionary approach to exercise combines short, intense bursts of activity with rest periods, making workouts both time-efficient and highly effective. With the advent of innovative tools like CAROL Bike, implementing REHIT has never been easier. 

This introduction to REHIT will guide you through its benefits, backed by science, and show you how CAROL Bike harnesses this method to transform your fitness routine. 

Get ready to discover how small investments in exercise can lead to significant health gains.

What is REHIT and how can it revolutionize your workout?

REHIT, or Reduced Exertion High-Intensity Training, is a modern exercise method transforming fitness paradigms.

At its core, REHIT involves short, intense bursts of activity, typically lasting under 20 seconds, followed by brief rest periods [1]. 

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This pattern is repeated several times, creating a workout that can be completed in a fraction of the time traditional regimes require. 

What makes REHIT exceptionally effective is its focus on maximal effort during these bursts, which stimulates your body differently than longer, less intense workouts. 

This stimulation significantly improves cardiovascular health, metabolism, and muscle strength.

CAROL Bike elevates the REHIT experience by integrating advanced AI technology [2]. It personalizes each session to your fitness level, ensuring you get the most out of every workout. 

With CAROL Bike, you’re not just engaging in a series of exercises; you’re participating in a scientifically designed program tailored to yield optimal health benefits in minimal time. 

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This approach makes REHIT with CAROL Bike an ideal solution for those seeking impactful, efficient fitness routines.

The longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on researchThe longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on research

How do short bursts of exercise impact your body?

The science behind short bursts of exercise, central to REHIT, is rooted in how our bodies respond to intense physical activity.

Engaging in a high-intensity workout, even briefly, triggers a rapid and robust response from your cardiovascular and metabolic systems [3]. 

This response is far more pronounced than with longer, moderate exercise. Key to this process is a phenomenon known as Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC), often referred to as the ‘afterburn’ effect. 

Following a high-intensity workout, your body continues to burn calories at an elevated rate as it returns to its resting state. This effect can last hours, enhancing overall metabolic rate and promoting fat loss.

Furthermore, these short, intense workouts stimulate the release of growth hormones and improve insulin sensitivity [4], both crucial for muscle growth and overall metabolic health. 

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You elicit a cascade of physiological adaptations by pushing your body to its limits, even briefly. These adaptations include improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, and better glucose metabolism. 

The beauty of REHIT, particularly when facilitated by technology like CAROL Bike, lies in harnessing these scientific principles efficiently, making it possible to achieve significant health benefits quickly.

What are the health benefits of REHIT?

REHIT workouts, though brief, are packed with many health benefits. One of the most significant advantages is enhanced cardiovascular health [5]. 

The intense nature of REHIT exercises strengthens your heart, improving blood circulation and reducing the risk of heart-related diseases. 

Additionally, these workouts effectively lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, contributing to overall heart health.

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Another key benefit is improved metabolic efficiency. REHIT boosts your metabolism, aiding in faster and more efficient calorie burning. 

This metabolic boost is not limited to the exercise duration but continues post-workout, helping in weight management and fat reduction. 

Moreover, the high intensity of REHIT workouts improves insulin sensitivity, vital for managing blood sugar levels, making it a beneficial routine for those at risk of or managing diabetes.

Muscle strength and endurance also see significant improvements. The rapid, high-intensity actions involved in REHIT stimulate muscle fibers differently than traditional endurance training, enhancing muscle growth and strength. 

This particularly benefits aging populations, as it helps maintain muscle mass and overall physical strength.

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Mental health benefits accompany the physical ones. Engaging in REHIT has been shown to boost mood, reduce stress levels, and improve mental clarity.

The release of endorphins during high-intensity exercise plays a key role in these mental health improvements.

Overall, incorporating REHIT into your fitness regimen can lead to a healthier, more active lifestyle, with benefits that extend far beyond the gym.

REHIT vs traditional exercise methods: How does it compare?

When evaluating REHIT against traditional exercise methods, several key differences emerge, highlighting the unique benefits of this modern approach:

Time efficiency

  • REHIT: Typically involves workouts lasting less than 10 minutes.
  • Traditional exercise: Often requires 30-60 minutes or more.

Intensity and format

  • REHIT: Focuses on maximum effort in short bursts followed by rest periods.
  • Traditional exercise: Generally consists of moderate-intensity, sustained activity.

Health and fitness outcomes

  • REHIT: Delivers rapid improvements in cardiovascular health, metabolic rate, and muscle strength.
  • Traditional exercise: Offers gradual improvements over a longer period.

Accessibility and convenience

  • REHIT: Can be easily integrated into a busy schedule, with minimal equipment needed.
  • Traditional exercise: Often requires more time commitment and sometimes specific equipment or location.

Impact on the body

  • REHIT: High-intensity nature leads to significant afterburn effect (EPOC), enhancing calorie burn post-exercise.
  • Traditional exercise: Lower EPOC effect, with calorie burn mostly limited to the duration of the activity.

Suitability for various fitness levels

  • REHIT: Adaptable to different fitness levels, with the intensity tailored to individual capabilities.
  • Traditional exercise: Requires more baseline fitness level, especially for longer or more strenuous activities.
The longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on researchThe longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on research

Mental engagement

  • REHIT: Short duration and varied intensity can keep workouts engaging and mentally stimulating.
  • Traditional exercise: Longer, repetitive routines may lead to mental fatigue or lack of motivation.

While traditional exercise methods have their place, REHIT offers a compelling alternative, especially for those seeking maximum health benefits with minimal time investment. 

Its adaptability, efficiency, and effectiveness make it a suitable choice for many individuals, regardless of their fitness level or lifestyle constraints.

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How to integrate REHIT into your routine using CAROL Bike

Incorporating REHIT into your daily routine becomes effortlessly streamlined with CAROL Bike.

Integrating REHIT with CAROL Bike into your fitness routine gives you access to a scientifically proven, time-efficient workout method that enhances your physical health and fits seamlessly into your daily life. 

Here’s how you can make the most of this innovative tool:

1. Start with personalization

CAROL Bike’s AI technology customizes workouts to your fitness level. Begin by inputting your personal details and fitness goals. The AI will then tailor each session to match your capabilities and progress.

2. Understand the workout structure

Familiarize yourself with the REHIT workout format on CAROL Bike. Typically, this includes a brief warm-up, followed by several 20-second high-intensity sprints interspersed with rest periods, concluding with a cool-down.

3. Schedule regular sessions

Consistency is key. Aim for 2-3 REHIT sessions per week on CAROL Bike. These can easily fit into any schedule, given their short duration.

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4. Track your progress

Use CAROL Bike’s tracking features to monitor your improvements. Keep an eye on your cardiovascular fitness, strength gains, and overall endurance.

5. Stay motivated

Engage with the CAROL Bike community for support and motivation. Sharing your progress and experiences can be a great way to stay committed and inspired.

6. Combine with other activities

While REHIT on CAROL Bike is efficient, complementing it with other physical activities or exercises can optimize overall fitness and health.

How does CAROL Bike customize and safeguard your REHIT experience?

CAROL Bike combines advanced technology with user-centric design to offer a safe, customized, and effective REHIT workout experience. It’s an ideal solution for anyone looking to exercise safely while pushing their fitness potential’s boundaries.

Tailored intensity

CAROL Bike’s AI-driven system customizes the intensity of each workout to your fitness level. This personalized approach ensures you’re exercising within a safe, effective range, reducing the risk of injury.

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Dynamic adjustment

As you progress, CAROL Bike dynamically adjusts your workouts. This continuous adaptation promotes safety and ensures that you’re consistently challenged, fostering better results.

Real-time feedback

During workouts, CAROL Bike provides real-time feedback on your performance. This immediate insight helps you maintain correct form and intensity, enhancing safety.

Ergonomic design

The bike is designed with ergonomics in mind, supporting correct posture and reducing strain on the body.

The longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on researchThe longevity-boosting potential of REHIT workouts based on research

Safety protocols

Built-in safety protocols and user-friendly interfaces make CAROL Bike a secure choice for users at any fitness level.

How can REHIT enhance your overall wellness, not just fitness?

REHIT, especially when facilitated by CAROL Bike, provides a holistic approach to wellness that positively impacts physical health, mental clarity, emotional well-being, and life satisfaction.

1. Mental health boost

Engaging in REHIT, especially through a structured program like CAROL Bike, significantly enhances mental well-being. The intense physical activity leads to the release of endorphins, often termed as ‘feel-good’ hormones, which elevate mood and combat stress.

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2. Enhanced cognitive function

Studies have shown that high-intensity workouts like REHIT can improve cognitive functions, including memory [6], concentration, and problem-solving skills, contributing to better mental agility and productivity.

3. Improved sleep patterns

Regular participation in REHIT can lead to better quality sleep. The physical exertion helps regulate sleep cycles, ensuring deeper and more restorative sleep.

4. Holistic health integration

REHIT, particularly with CAROL Bike, easily integrates into a holistic health approach. Its time efficiency allows for balancing other wellness aspects like nutrition, relaxation, and social activities.

5. Long-term health benefits

The cumulative effect of regular REHIT sessions contributes to long-term health, reducing risks of chronic diseases and enhancing overall life quality.

How is AI and personalization shaping the future of fitness?

The emergence of AI and personalization is transforming the fitness landscape, with cutting-edge innovations like CAROL Bike leading the way. 

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The incorporation of AI and personalization into fitness technology has revolutionized how we manage our health and fitness, representing a significant trend in the industry. 

It promises a future where workouts are more efficient, effective, and tailored to each individual, making fitness a more integral and enjoyable part of our lives.

Here’s what this means for your fitness journey:

AI-driven customization

AI technology in fitness equipment, like CAROL Bike, personalizes workouts to individual needs and preferences. This ensures each session is optimally effective for your unique fitness goals, leading to faster and more sustainable results.

Adaptive workouts

AI algorithms analyze your performance data in real time, adjusting workouts as you progress. This dynamic adaptation keeps your body challenged at the right level, preventing plateaus and continuously enhancing your fitness.

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Predictive health insights

Beyond workout customization, AI can provide predictive insights into health risks and offer recommendations to mitigate them, fostering a proactive approach to health management.

Integration with the overall health ecosystem

Future AI-driven fitness solutions will likely integrate with broader health and wellness apps and devices, offering a holistic view of your health and fitness, from diet to sleep patterns.

Accessibility and inclusivity

As AI technology becomes more refined, fitness solutions will become more accessible to people of varying ages, abilities, and health conditions, democratizing fitness and wellness.

In closing

As we’ve explored, REHIT, especially when paired with innovations like CAROL Bike, offers a powerful approach to fitness that fits seamlessly into our busy lives. 

It’s not just about saving time; it’s about maximizing the effectiveness of every minute we dedicate to our health. 

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This method, backed by science and enhanced by AI technology, paves the way for a future where fitness is more personalized, efficient, and accessible. 

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, incorporating REHIT into your routine could be the key to achieving lasting health and wellness.

Take the first step towards a smarter, more efficient workout with CAROL Bike. Visit CAROL Bike’s website to learn more and experience how REHIT, powered by AI, can elevate your health journey. 

[1] https://www.livestrong.com/article/13777676-rehit-training-workout/
[2] https://carolbike.com/science/how-carol-bikes-5-min-reduced-exertion-hiit-rehit-workout-works/
[3] https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/11/12-minute-bursts-of-exercise-have-bigger-impact-than-thought/
[4] https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00123.2005
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6388288/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071608/

The information included in this article is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this webpage is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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Fitness

A gentle 30-minute workout for days when you're feeling low energy | CBC Life

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A gentle 30-minute workout for days when you're feeling low energy | CBC Life

“Should I work out on my period?” is a question that fitness coach Beverley Cheng hears a lot. So, it wasn’t particularly surprising when her time of the month workout quickly became the most popular video in her series for CBC Life.

Now she’s back with part two! In the latest video from her series Fit for Me, Beverley leads you through 30 minutes of deep stretches and mobility exercises that are ideal for when you’re dealing with cramps, bloating or low energy, but still want to get some gentle movement in. While a resistance band is recommended, you can also do the entire routine using just your bodyweight.

Check out the video, then scroll down for the full list of exercises in this workout. Let’s get started!

30-minute low-impact workout

1 set:

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  • Plank push back + knee drive (L) x 45 secs
  • Deep kneeling lunge + lean back (L) x 30 secs
  • Plank push back + knee drive (R) x 45 secs
  • Deep kneeling lunge + lean back (R) x 30 secs
  • Alternating plank knee drives x 60 secs

2 sets:

  • Glute bridge + fly x 60 secs
  • Glute bridge + pulse x 45 secs
  • Glute bridge hold x 30 secs
  • Happy baby
  • Forward fold stretch

1 set:

  • Low squat to reverse lunge x 60 secs
  • BW RDL x 60 secs
  • Narrow stance squat x 60 secs
  • Wide stance hamstring stretch x 60 secs
  • Lateral side-to-side stretch x 30 secs
  • Frog stretch

2 sets:

  • Alternating heel taps x 60 secs
  • Russian twists x 45 secs
  • Forearm plank knee drops x 30 secs
  • Cobra/Mini cobras

Produced in collaboration with CBC Creator Network.

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Fitness

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: New rules say you can exercise

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: New rules say you can exercise

About 1 in 500 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

It’s a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick.

HCM is one of the most common causes of sudden death among young athletes and otherwise healthy adults.

In the past, athletes and other patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were told to sit on the sidelines.

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But it may be time to get back into the game.

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recently released new guidelines on this condition.

The guideline’s writing committee chair and Mayo Clinic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic medical director Dr Steve Ommen says that with exercise and proper medication management, patients can return to their normal daily routines.

“Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should not be an automatic disqualification from pursuing sports,” he says.

Patients with HCM might benefit from being active, he notes.

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“Our current recommendations are that patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy participate in low to moderate intensity exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, and that it’s reasonable for them to do more vigorous activities as well,” he says.

A new class of medications is on the roster, giving patients more options to manage their disease.

“Usually, there’s some simple medications the patient may try first, and then, if that’s not effective, they will have an option of this medication; an older medication called disopyramide; an operation called surgical myectomy; or a catheter-based solution, alcohol septal ablation,” Dr. Ommen explains.

It’s a good idea to check with your healthcare team before making changes to medications or daily routines.

HCM symptoms include:

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  • Chest pain, especially while exercising.
  • Fainting during or after physical activity.
  • Shortness of breath during exercise.
  • Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeats. – Sonya Goins/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
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Fitness

Swimming vs. running: Choosing the better exercise for your body

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Swimming vs. running: Choosing the better exercise for your body

Anyone picking a new exercise routine won’t lack for opinions from among the tens of millions of runners and swimmers in the U.S. There are passionate communities on both sides that will tell you their sport is superior.

Better to ask someone who does both.

“I tolerate swimming to be able to do sports we like, to travel to cool places and race together,” says Jacob Gilden, a 36-year-old competitive triathlete and swimrunner. “But if I was less injury-prone, I would probably be doing a lot less swimming and a lot more running.”

His wife, Liz Gilden, a former professional triathlete herself, also loves running, but the 36-year-old says that age has changed the equation. Swimming isn’t as hard on the body, she says: “We can’t really run as much as we used to. So supplementing swimming really helps preserve that aerobic capacity.”

We all know the basics: Both running and swimming can boost your cardiovascular and mental health. Doing either is generally better than doing nothing.

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How to decide which is better for you? We talked to experts to determine the factors—including your training, injury history and natural affinity—that play into the decision.

Born to run

Contrary to popular belief, running doesn’t have to destroy your knees and can actually benefit them. Some exercise scientists and researchers say that, with the proper routines, people can continue running into their 60s and 70s—or maybe even later.

Careful and informed training for a marathon can have a protective effect on knee joints of sedentary people without prior knee pain or issues, according to a pair of published studies from 2019 in the BMJ and 2020 in Skeletal Radiology.

Using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, researchers analyzed the knee joints of dozens of middle-aged, first-time marathoners. Many people assume that joints, bones and muscles wear down over time like car parts, says Alister Hart, a professor of orthopedics at University College London and the chief investigator of the studies.

But our body parts are biological, he says. “By doing exercise, they actually repair, renew and improve.”

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Because running is a load-bearing exercise, research suggests it can build bone health. “We know that bones respond to force,” Hart says. “Running improves your knees by improving the quality of the bone on either side of the knee joint.”

But runners shouldn’t do anything too vigorous or bear too much weight until their bodies are able to manage. Instead, they should start out with easy runs and gradually increase the intensity and mileage.

“We don’t want someone who’s not conditioned to run to jump into running,” says Laura Richardson, a clinical associate professor of applied exercise science and movement science at the University of Michigan.

That includes people with arthritis and joint pain or those who are recovering from an injury or surgery. They may want to opt for swimming instead of running, researchers say.

“If you had a soccer injury at a young age, and you ruptured your cruciate ligament, and you never had it repaired, you’re going to be running on a joint that’s going to be not moving normally,” Hart says. “Your risk of developing joint damage is real.”

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High-water marks

Proponents of swimming point to the fact that it activates muscles throughout your body, while running mainly works the lower body.

And because moving through water can be less harsh on the body than pounding pavement, swimming is often useful for rehabbing from injuries—including overtraining in running—and for those seeking joint-friendly exercise, says Scott Trappe, the director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University. Regular swimming has been found to reduce joint pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.

Other health benefits have gotten less attention.

Researchers found that masters athletes, including swimmers, cyclists and triathletes—with the average age of 57—had more satisfying sex lives and better sexual function than the general population. The study’s subjects mostly consisted of swimmers but a small percentage of participants took part in other activities such as running and rowing.

“The take-home message is that swimming can enhance sexual function to an older age,” says Hirofumi Tanaka, the director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin and senior author of the 2023 study, which was published in the International Journal of Sexual Health.

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One potential downside of swimming, exercise scientists say, is that it might require more training to get the benefits.

“You have to have a good skill to raise your heart rate up,” Tanaka says.

‘Intrinsic excitement’

Running and swimming can both be physically demanding and even risky, so experts recommend easing into both.

The trick is determining what intensity of an aerobic activity you can maintain in a continuing program, says the University of Michigan’s Richardson. “It’s a matter of finding that sweet spot.”

And when it comes to picking one or the other, the best choice is probably the one that you’ll stick with consistently. “If putting on your shoes and running outside seems like a challenge, then maybe you need to pack your bag and go to a local pool,” Richardson says. “So whatever feels like you have a little intrinsic excitement about doing, that’s the one you’ve got to do.”

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Swimming vs. Running: Choosing the Better Exercise for Your Body

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