Many of us believe that a good workout has to leave us completely exhausted and drenched in sweat. But is that the only way? Like many other things in life, exercise is also different for everyone. The best way to go about exercising is finding out your priorities and goals. If you want faster results and do not mind intense workouts, tailor your time and workouts according to that. But what about people who do like exhausting workouts and like to take things slow? Exercise doesn't need to be a grueling test of endurance. There's a gentler way to get fit, and it's called Low-Intensity Interval Training, or LIIT. This approach lowers your effort level while still helping you reach your fitness goals. What is LIIT? The Cleveland Clinic explains that the main idea behind LIIT is to exercise for longer stretches of time at a low to moderate effort level, with short breaks built in for you to recover. You'll definitely feel like you're doing something, and your body will be working, but you won't push yourself too hard or feel completely wiped out. During a LIIT workout, you should be able to: Talk comfortably and hold a conversation without getting out of breath. If you're gasping for air, you're probably pushing too hard for LIIT. Keep your heart rate in a comfortable zone, specifically what's called Zone 2. This means your heart is beating at roughly 60% to 70% of its maximum rate during exercise. (Imagine a scale from 1 to 5 for how hard your heart is working; Zone 2 is on the lower, easier end.) LIIT requires less energy than most other workouts. The goal is to challenge yourself just enough at an effort level you can comfortably keep up for a longer time. It’s about being consistent and sustainable, rather than super intense.Gentler Approach to Fitness LIIT is the calmer relative of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). HIIT has become very popular over the years because it involves short bursts of very challenging exercise that push you to your absolute limits. You can actually do the same kinds of exercises in both LIIT and HIIT programs, like running, cycling, or lifting weights. The big difference is how hard you push yourself during those exercises. HIIT is all about maximum effort, where you give it everything you've got. In a HIIT workout, you'll definitely feel out of breath, and your heart rate will be very high, close to your maximum. Because it's so physically demanding, HIIT sessions are typically much shorter than LIIT sessions. Both HIIT and LIIT can improve your fitness, but they do it in different ways. HIIT is generally better for building muscle and strength. LIIT, on the other hand, might burn more calories overall because the workouts last longer. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on what you're trying to achieve and what fits your lifestyle. Experts suggest that HIIT is usually best for athletes who are already very fit and work out regularly. Pushing yourself extremely hard can put a lot of stress on your body and heart, and that's not for everyone. Even if you do intense HIIT workouts, adding occasional LIIT sessions can help your body recover and prevent burnout. How to Do LIIT Workouts Almost any physical activity can be turned into a LIIT workout. It's simply a matter of adjusting how hard you push yourself and splitting your exercise time into active periods and short rest breaks. Here are some examples: Running Try running at a comfortable pace for one minute, then slow down to a walk for two minutes to recover. You can go back and forth between running and walking for as many rounds as you like, adjusting the times to match how you feel. Walking The idea is similar to running. Walk at a faster pace for five minutes, then slow down for two minutes for a recovery period. Repeat this cycle as many times as you want. Cycling Pedal at a moderate effort level for five minutes, then slow your pace for two minutes. Keep repeating these intervals. Rowing Row for a certain distance, like 100 meters, at a moderate intensity, then slow your pace for two minutes. Repeat these intervals as desired.