Maggie's Farm

I was asked for a list of some good HIIT cardiac stressors. The theory, likely correct, is that these anaerobic or borderline-anaerobic stressors build heart muscle and heart vasculature such that physical endurance and energy are improved, along with the chance of surviving one's first or second heart attack.

Here's a partial list of good ones for interval exertions (30-60 seconds, 60-120 seconds slow between):

- Speed jump rope
- Mountain-climbers
- Rower sprints
- Treadmill running sprints
-  Swim sprints
- Stairmaster sprints
- Step-ups with hand weights
- Box jumps
- Heavy ball throws and smashes
- Combat bike sprints
- Sled pushes and pulls
- Ski Erg sprints 

I think it's best to do a mix of these to prevent adaptation and efficiency. 

Powerlifts also are good heart stressors as we all can tell from the dizziness after a few reps of heavy, but I am not convinced that it's enough to do the job. A reminder to women that, after menopause, heart disease quickly catches up to that of men.