Talkin’ Tabata!
We all know I’m a major fan of Tabata training. I incorporate it into my workouts all the time, in all different ways. Let me introduce to you one of my all-time-favorite ways of kicking my own butt! 
That picture is from a crazy Tabata workout I did in December!
Tabata = Crazy Sweat Score = Happy me!
The Tabata Protocol is based on 4 minute high intensity sessions. Izumi Tabata (which the protocol is named after) tested 20 seconds of high intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated 8 times for a total of 4 minutes.
He found that Tabata:
- Increases aerobic capacity
- Increases anaerobic capacity
- Results in the “after-burn” fat-burning effect
- Can be as or more effective than long steady state cardio
How to do Tabata:
Perform an exercise (resistance or cardio based) for 20 seconds at all out effort.
Rest for 10 seconds.
Repeat above 8 times.
I have talked about how much I LOVE my Gymboss Timer.
I use it for many things, tabata being one of them. To use it for tabata I set it at 8 rounds of 2 intervals: 20 secs & 10 secs.
You can do Tabata without a Gymboss timer, but it’s hard and you can’t focus on giving your maximum effort while you’re looking at your watch. The Gymboss Timer is a pretty inexpensive fitness tool, and probably one of the only tools I’d really recommend getting. It has catapulted ALL of my workouts to the next level … I use it for Tabata, HIIT, rest intervals, time challenges, I can’t even think of all the things I use it for! I have even used it to time my meal times!
An example of a cardio based Tabata workout could be 8 rds of :20/:10 alternating burpees and high knees.
An example of a resistance based Tabata workout could be 8 rds of :20/:10 alternating weighted squats and push-ups.
You can incorporate anywhere between one and 8 different exercises for the 8×20/10 protocol, repeating as needed.
I can’t wait to hear what all of you come up with!
If you aren’t super creative in the workout department, I will start posting some Tabata workouts here, and Bodyrock.tv and Zuzana Light’s ZWOW’s are two of the best sites that use the short, high intensity, tabata protocol ideas as the base to their workouts.
Zuzana’s physique is a result of many tabata workouts .. and who in the world wouldn’t want to look like her?! 
Zuzana with her Gymboss Timer!
Incorporating Tabata into your workout routine not only cuts the time those workouts take by a lot, but it increases your cardio and resistance performance, as well as blasting fat in the process! I’m a major fan.
***
Coffee Talk!
- Do you Tabata?
- What are some of your favorite Tabata workouts?
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Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 11:26 am |
I have recently discovered BodyRock and am loving it! My progress after the 30 day challenge in January was much better than I’d imagined. Tabata is my new favorite way to sweat.
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 7:18 pm |
Amazing HM? SO glad you love it!!
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 11:32 am |
I love Tabata workouts! SO quick and so effective!
P.S. I have always wanted to tell you that you look absolutely fabulous! (in the least creepy way possible, of course!! Haha)
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted..Above and Beyond
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 7:17 pm |
Me too!! And THANK YOUUU! You’re so sweet
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 2:41 pm |
I love finishing off a leg workout with some tabata lunges and squats! Really exhausts my muscles. I love having a sore butt and barely being able to make it up the stairs!
Maria @ Pappa Don’t Preach recently posted..The Road Routine
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 7:17 pm |
I am RIGHT there with you – love being super sore!!!
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 3:29 pm |
I’ve never done true tabata though I definitely do intervals. Without a timer right in front me I feel like I’m more focused on the time rather than what I’m doing.
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Curried Deviled Eggs
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 5:42 pm |
You should definitely get a gymboss. You won’t have to worry about staring at a clock so you’ll focus on the workout instead.
Maria @ Pappa Don’t Preach recently posted..The Road Routine
Saturday, February 25th 2012 at 7:17 pm |
I completely agree w/ Maria … the Gymboss takes tabata and interval workouts to the next level – it’s amazing the difference it makes!
Sunday, February 26th 2012 at 2:48 am |
I used to really love bodyrock.tv and I still think this style of workout is very effective, but recently all their workouts require so much equipment… And it get harder and harder to adapt those exercises to make them without that equipment!
Sunday, February 26th 2012 at 1:55 pm |
Check out Zuzana’s new youtube channel – her ZWOW’s don’t hardly require anything!
Sunday, February 26th 2012 at 6:06 pm |
Fun fun – did a tabata workout today actually. I can’t do high-impact right now, so I’ve been using kettlebells for intensity. Amazing!
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Working Out & Relaxing Plus Sunday Fashion
Sunday, February 26th 2012 at 11:09 pm |
Yesssss! Score! Why no high impact? Way to substitute with kettlebells!
Monday, February 27th 2012 at 7:47 am |
I LOVE tabata training and try to incorporate it as much as possible. My gymboss timer makes all the difference, too. Huge fan!
— Michelle
Michelle @ Lipstick and Lunges recently posted..Solo Dinner
Monday, February 27th 2012 at 9:19 am |
Love it lady!
Keep rockin’ it!
Wednesday, February 29th 2012 at 2:50 pm |
I love tabata and I love my gymboss too
I don’t know what I would do without it. You are so right when saying it takes our workouts to the next level!
Wednesday, February 29th 2012 at 9:19 pm |
Me either! Definitely one of my favorite, probably almost my favorite fitness tool ever. So glad you love both tabata and your gymboss too