“WHEN I want a quick sweaty training session indoors, I leave the aircon off, close the door, and blast the music for a short sweaty functional HIIT session with at least 10-20 seconds rest in between each exercise,” said National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer Jerry Diaz.
HIIT stands for High-Intensity Interval Training.
“The natural heat builds up my body temperature and pushes my blood through my muscle tissues,” he added. “As my lungs begin to access oxygen my heart pounds as I gasp for air. This is usually great when I’m aiming for that feel-good-drenched feeling. I do the same for short sprints in front of my house. Looking back, we did ladder sprints at NMC gym without AC and we always had a good time during the national training sessions,” said Diaz, who used to play for the NMI national basketball team.
“This is one of the benefits of living in the tropics — it's easy to bring up the heat during training sessions,” he added.
Diaz said those who want to train in the heat must consider several factors. For starters, you must determine your maximum time and effort during the specific time of the day you are training, he said.
Pushing the heart rate and muscle tissues must include an awareness of your limit, Diaz added.
Trying to follow another individual's fitness routine or goals without understanding your own fitness status can be harmful and will lead to disappointment, he said.
It is important to be patient and to get to know what works for you, he added.
Many individuals prefer short training sessions that are intense and exciting to build up the heart rate to anaerobic and maximum levels.
Diaz said studies show that following an intense HIIT routine, you burn an additional 300 calories throughout the day.
Training in tropical weather gives individuals an advantage over athletes in four-season regions, he added.
He noted that many athletes travel to tropical areas such as the CNMI to improve their strength, endurance, and skills.
But Diaz said it is also important to hydrate before, during, and after training sessions, especially in the tropics.
For professional fitness inquiries, contact Jerry Diaz through Instagram at @BBJ_Athletics or Facebook.
