Comments on: Tabata Training – Short and Effective Workouts

By: Luke R.

Luke R. — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:47:07 +0000

I have a serious love/hate relationship with tabata. I love the quickness, intensity, and results…But man does it burn.

The first time my buddy and I did tabata for calves, we had to walk on our tip-toes for the following 3 days. Almost used an old pair of crutches, no joke.

By: Getting Started with a Healthy Lifestyle — Zen to Fitness Getting Started with a Healthy Lifestyle : Zen to Fitness

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:07:08 +0000

[...] Tabata Training — Short and Effective [...]

By: Alison

Alison — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:59:58 +0000

I think HIIT intervals are great and very effective, but I’m going to focus on shorter Tabata workouts also, because of the science behind the short rest periods. I did my first session last night, with a music timer on my ipod and using max force jumping jacks… I warmed up with 4 or 5 minutes and followed it by another 10 minutes of steady state, medium intensity, and followed that by a half hour of cardio sculpting (toning with lots of reps of light weights, bodyweight moves, while keeping the heartrate up with bits of cardio throughout).

Of course, the intensity of doing Tabata or any sort of HIIT interval cardio before toning work makes me a bit weaker than if I’d gone into it fresh or with a moderate steady state cardio in advance. But I had heard a good tip that if you’re fat burning, it’s good to start with HIIT and then do regular cardio, which makes sense. So for me Tabata or any type of HIIT is an add-on to my already scheduled workout, which will amp up the fat and calorie burning. In a big way, I’m sure, I’ve lost inches and gained muscle, but it’s too early to really tell.

I got some good insight from these comments – a lot of people have talked about Tabata crunches or pushups, etc., or mixed Tabata routines, and it’s good to know they’re not the protocol and not likely as effective. I saw a video of people doing Tabata squats… and while it can be tough on the muscles, I don’t see how it really gets your heartrate up – unless they’re squats with a jump and raising the arms… the people doing the squats look like their muscles are exhausted, but they’re not winded…

Personally, I think jumping jacks are simple but great, just go as fast as you possibly can (your max intensity). I think if they get too easy at some point, I’ll just add resistance bands. I love that Tabata’s only high impact for a couple of minutes, versus the longer interval workouts where you may be jumping around for 7-15 minutes in total.

By: MikeD

MikeD — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:25:42 +0000

Ladies and Gents,

I put my theory to the test yesterday and today and it seemed valid. Yesterday, I did a 4min Tabata using squats with 95 lbs (all the way down past 90 degrees due to the lighter weight), and by the end, I was in another dimension, breathing like a locomotive, and I couldn’t get off the ground for about 5 minutes…but it felt great, almost euphoric.

Today, I did a separate tabatas with curls, bench dumbell flyes, and also rope pulley crunches, and all together, they didn’t add up to the exhaustion caused by the tabata squats.

By: MikeD

MikeD — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:46:22 +0000

Remember, if you use different exercises, the lactic acid buildup won’t be present as much, so you won’t get the entire benefit of tabata.

Be sure to use exercises for big muscle groups (front squats or thrusts) or you won’t get the full benefit. Tabata will never ever work as well using cruches or pushups.

@ MikeD: That is a great point and one I never thought of. So Tabata for compounds is the way to go….

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:17:01 +0000

Another great interval timer for the iPod Touch or iPhone that has Tabata presets can be found here: http://www.thefitblog.net/wodtimer
It is also free until 2010.

By: Tony Ruffin

Tony Ruffin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:59:34 +0000

SpeedBag Forum has a FREE tabata timer that you can use on your computer. It has huge numbers so you can easily see the time counting down and it beeps at the end of each interval. You can also download a free tabata timer mp3 for your ipod over here......

By: Emma

Emma — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:56:04 +0000

After I lost 14.5 kgs (I want to lose 25) I hit a weight loss plateau. I couldn’t eat any better and didn’t have time for a longer work out. My friend put me on to Tabata and my weight is moving again. I found this site which made MP3′s which plays 8 reps of 20 seconds of music then 10 silence. Saves me counting!

http://www.tabatatimer.com.au/

Check it out!

By: Mbwebwe Ngo'omo

Mbwebwe Ngo'omo — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:23:59 +0000

I am use good and most estemed of educated technique run fast. 20 second pushup make n’gogo proud like a tree and women want many sons. Make visit to many women. Many hut. Women want fish very much

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:05:01 +0000

You can find a Tabata Timer for your iPhone or iPod Touch over here.......... It has visual as well as auditory cues so that you can watch or listen for your activity and rest periods. If you are listening to music on your device, the sound cues will overlay your music. @ Bill: Many thanks for the link. Very useful app I just downloaded it and look forward to testing it out.