HIIT Vs. LISS — Which Type of Cardio Is Better?

You’ve just started surrendering to your cardio-happy friend who insists that you do something in the gym aside from picking up heavy barbells and putting them back down. Fine, you say, you’ll do…cardio. But the query of HIIT versus LISS — high-intensity interval training versus low-intensity steady-state cardio — arises. You want to do whichever is better.

The question is: better at what? Are you aiming to get more powerful and explosive? To process oxygen more efficiently? To improve your heart health or work capacity? Here, we’ll lay out for you whether HIIT or LISS can give you what you’re going for — and when you might want to do both.

Editor’s Note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.