LISS stands for Low-Intensity Steady State. It encompasses any sort of cardio workout in which you maintain a consistently low-intensity pace for a stretch of time. You don’t need to have access to a gym for your LISS workouts, which makes it incredibly convenient for people who don't have the time, means or desire to get to the gym every time they want to break a sweat.
We know how intimidating it can be to get started on your fitness journey, and there's nothing which will discourage you more than starting off with something too difficult. The NW Method was created to challenge any athlete whether beginner or advanced. If you’re new to working out, LISS is an excellent way to ease yourself into fitness without shocking your system. In my app, you will find a section titled Beginner LISS which will be a great starting point for any beginner with NW Method or working out!
So it's highly likely that you’ve heard of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), but what exactly is the difference between LISS and HIIT? HIIT workouts instruct you to perform quick, explosive bursts of high-intensity cardio, directly followed by a short rest time, before repeating the cycle. This cardio-rest cycle is carried on for 10-15 minutes at a time. In doing so, your heart rate is raised incredibly quickly, owing to the intensity of the exercise. This results in an ‘after-burn’ impact, wherein your body continues burning fat even after your workout has ended.
LISS presents itself as a sort of antithesis to HIIT. Since it’s low-intensity, it becomes a lot more achievable for those who have no prior fitness experience and is much easier to remain consistent with. In fewer words, it's the perfect workout for beginners! During a NW Method workout, we perform 30 reps, both sides, for each section back to back with no stopping. This is what makes NW Method a game changer because we are keeping that body AND mind constantly focused.
If the goal you’re trying to achieve includes burning fat, LISS is definitely your friend. Training with lower-intensity increases the amount of oxygen available for your body to utilise. Since fat requires oxygen to be broken down, the more oxygen available to your body, the more fat you’ll burn.
LISS helps your body metabolise fat, which is something HIIT doesn’t do.
When easing yourself into your fitness goals, it is important to build up your stamina and strength. Whether you’re totally new to exercising or you’re recovering from an illness or injury, LISS is the workout for every “body.” It’s effective and simple, requires no equipment and doesn’t place excessive strain on your body. And with NW Method all you need is a towel, mat and good attitude!
By making your LISS something as simple and enjoyable as taking a relaxing walk, you don't need to dread it. If it's something you love, you won't find it difficult to stick with. Just like that, you’ll have cultivated a consistent workout routine for yourself!
Taking this time to consciously shift your lifestyle into a more healthy and active gear while simultaneously defining your muscle memory with high repetition is the essence of LISS cardio. This is what makes it so magical for everyone who tries it, especially beginners!