6 min read

How Collagen Benefits Your HIIT Workout

You’re all about working out and making the most of your time. For you, it’s about making your goal. And that means research, trying new things, and staying on top of trends in fitness. It also means expanding your comfort zone. You’re not the sort of person who will run three miles a day and be satisfied; there’s no plateau in your world because you’re going to do what you have to to get past it.

All of these reasons are why you’re considering using Collagen Peptides and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to get where you want to go. 

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a key component of your body. It’s the most abundant protein you have, and its main job is to make connective tissue. You’ve probably heard of collagen in your fitness research as it’s an important part of health and beauty. A lack of collagen plays a key role in aging or at least the appearance of aging.

Collagen is one of two proteins that make up the connective tissues that hold your body together. The protein is most notably found in the skin, bones, and muscles. When these fibers connect, they give your skin and muscles strength and suppleness. 

Unfortunately, as people age, the collagen in their bodies depletes, and this is how the signs of aging begin to appear in the skin. Skin becomes broken down, and they become saggy and less elastic. This leads to wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. It’s not just the skin that’s affected by a reduction in collagen, but it’s where it’s most visible.

Young woman working out with ropes at the gym

Why Is Collagen Important?

Because collagen is key in the structure of your connective tissue, it’s also very important when it comes to fitness. Connective tissue is vital in many different ways, but when you’re working out, you need a healthy amount of collagen for muscle support. It's what helps your muscles recover faster to get you feeling your best.

What Is HIIT?

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is quickly becoming a popular way to push workouts even further and maximize your efforts. HIIT can be used with any cardio workout; it’s all about intensity and timing. The goal is to start at a high-intensity level, back off, slowly recover, and then hit it again with another round of high intensity. 

In a typical HIIT session, you work harder than you normally would when doing cardio, but you do it for a short period of time, then you decrease your effort for an equal or longer period of time and repeat the cycle. 

Young muscular man working out at the beach

Benefits of Collagen for HIIT Workouts

We’ve covered the basics of HIIT and collagen. Now let’s look at why they’re so great together. 

Nourishes muscle for support and endurance. This is what collagen is for, so this is the primary reason you want to include it in your HIIT workout.

May help speed up recovery. Collagen supports the muscles, so it naturally supports the body’s recovery process after a workout.

May help with strengthening joints and ligaments. Collagen can be particularly useful for people concerned about harming their joints and ligaments. 

May reduce joint discomfort associated with sport-related injuries. Studies have shown that collagen can benefit your body when it comes to battling occasional joint discomfort, especially if you’re an athlete or even just a weekend enthusiast.

Ideal source of protein and essential amino acids. Your body needs protein and amino acids, the building blocks for collagen. Some people get enough from the dairy, eggs, and meats they eat, but your body is constantly losing them, so it’s a good idea to replenish them any way you can. 

Supports athletic performance. If fitness and performance are important to you, then adding a collagen supplement can give you that something extra you need to get beyond any plateau you hit.

Young woman running up a hill

When To Take Collagen – Before or After a HIIT Workout?

If you’re excited about the potential benefits of adding collagen to your new HIIT routine, the first question you’re asking is, should I take collagen before or after workout? The answer is after. The main reason is that you’re relying on collagen muscle restorative capabilities to maximize your recovery.

But let’s be honest—not everyone will remember to take collagen after a workout because it’s not always convenient. So the real answer is that you should take collagen whenever it’s convenient for you. 

The Essential element

Are you still wondering if collagen helps with muscle recovery? We hope that you have your answer. You can take that information and make the most of it by adding collagen to your fitness routine.

Young man working out outside with an Essential elements Collagen Peptides bag in the background

At Essential elements, we love using science to support our lives and yours. Adding Collagen Peptides to your day can help promote muscle, joint, skin, hair, and nail health. So, not only will you look and feel great, but you’ll be glad to know that you’ll also be providing nutrients to just about all the fibers in your body.

When it comes to fitness, there’s a lot of interesting science behind turning your workout into a HIIT experience. Adding collagen to that change in a workout will provide additional recovery benefits. And who doesn’t want to get more out of their workout for the same amount of effort?


How Collagen Benefits Your HIIT Workout