Last year, I posted an in-depth blog post about Tabata training and, from some of my reader comments back then, it was obvious that Tabata workouts were already gaining momentum.
If you don't know, Tabata Training is a form of high intensity interval training that goes like this: You do something very, very intense (like sprinting, for example) for 20 seconds, then you rest for 10 seconds. You repeat that 8 times for a total of 4 minutes, at which point you feel like you've actually exercised for 4 hours.
The workout actually originated with the Japanese speedskating team as a form of very high intensity training. Now, it's everywhere as fitness pros have taken the concept and, ahem, run with it.
I bring this up because there are tons of great Tabata workouts out there for you to try. That may be the perfect thing to push you through this last part of winter.
First, I'll toot my own horn with some of the resources available here at About.com:
- Tabata Training - This is an article and it explains things in a bit more detail.
- Tabata Cardio - This, obviously, is a Tabata-based worked with high impact cardio exercises. You don't need any equipment, but you do need energy and courage.
- Tabata Strength - The great thing about Tabata is that you can do it with any type of exercise, including strength training.
Now, on to other great Tabata resources:
- Cathe Friedrich Tabatacise - I love Cathe's Tabata workout which, at 45 minutes long, is just enough to kick your butt. I like that Cathe does 4 different moves for each Tabata (repeating them all one time)...it makes the workout fly by. She does use a step, but only for short cardio segments between Tabatas.
- Chris Freytag's HIIT Series - I'm really enjoying this video series, which includes four 30-minute Tabata workouts, each with a different focus: Total Body, Upper Body, Lower Body and Core. She does tons of great combination exercises using weights and sprinkles some cardio in there as well.
- Motion Traxx Tabata Coach - This workout, which is available for $7.99 in iTunes, is perfect if you like guided audio workouts. The instructor, Jessica Smith, coaches you through 6 rounds of Tabatas with music by Deekron that keeps you moving fast. This is great for those travel, basement or hotel room workouts.
What about you? Do you Tabata and, if so, what's your favorite workout? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
No need to purchase DVDs, there is a wealth of free information and tabata style workouts on youtube. Plenty of free tabata style timers on iTunes and Google play as well.
I have been doing HIIT/Tabata style workouts since the first week of January. Starting weight was 184 currently down to 171 in 5 weeks. The key is to this style of exercise is INTENSITY. If you are not sucking wind between intervals you are not working hard enough.
One of my favorite workouts is the Spartacus 1.0 and 2.0. Total time without warmup or cool down is between 43-46 minutes. I typically use 20# DB for two arm exercises and 25# DB for single arm/squatting. Adjust the weight for your strength and ability.
If you are serious about shedding the fat, these workouts will help but you will need to clean up your diet as well. You cannot out train a bad diet.
Cathe’s Tabatacise DVD is awesome. No one can inspire you and make working out fun like Cathe!! She makes you feel like you are right there with her and her crew.
I find that using Cathe’s video’s inspire me and keep me on task. The music and cues she gives are perfection. I can pull out a full 45 minute tabata workout without stopping or cheating myself. She’s like having my own personal trainer in my pocket at the gym. Her videos are available for digital download. She does have other HIIT videos available that are just as effective and fun. I’ve been applying Cathe’s videos for about 4 1/2 years now and I’ve never been in better shape.
I have both Cathe’s Tabatacise and Chris Freytag’s HIIT workouts and I am loving them both. I like that Chris incorporates weights into some of the tabatas as that really gets my heart going super fast. Both well worth the investment!