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The basis of Tabata Training is 4 minutes of intense interval training. What you are doing is taking an exercise we'll use sprints as an example here.
Sprint as hard as you can for 20 seconds
Walk for 10 seconds
Repeat 7 more times for a total of 8 sets.
So what you have is a total of 4 minutes workout time.
Tabata Training can be done with a number of different exercises the idea is to use an exercise that gets the whole body involved or at least the major muscle groups.Tabata Training can be done with Barbells, Dumbells, Kettlebells or just Bodyweight exercises. I'll give you some other exercises and routines to try in a minute but first let me give you some background and how Tabatas work.
Tabata Training was developed by Izumi Tabata (imagine that) at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, Japan. They did a study on comparing the effects of moderate intensity endurance(aerobics) and high endurance intermittent training(tabata training intervals) on VO2 max and anerobic capacity.
To cut to the results of the study: the moderate intensity group training program produced a significant increase in VO2 max of about 10%, but had no effect on anaerobic capacity. The high intensity group improved their VO2 max by about 14% while anaerobic capacity improved by 28%. The study was done over a six week period. Both groups working out 5 days per week.
"Tabata Training and It's Effect on Fat Loss"
A study was then done at Physical Activities Sciences Laboratory, Laval University, Quebec, Canada, and challenged the common belief among health professionals that low-intensity, long-duration exercise is the best program for fat loss. They compared the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and high-intensity aerobics on fat loss.
The bottom line was that the low intensity group burned more calories during their workouts almost twice as many.
But the high intensity group got 9 times more fat loss benefit for every calorie burned while exercising.
How did this happen? Compared to moderate-intensity endurance exercise, high- intensity intermittent exercise causes more calories and fat to be burned following the workout. They also said it may be that appetite is suppressed more following intense intervals.
The high intensity training raises the metabolic rate causing you to burn more calories after your training is long over with.
Is Tabata Training The Best for Weight Loss ?
Tabatas are a very intense form of Interval Training. I use and believe in the Interval and Tabata training methods for Weight loss.
The long cardio sessions are usefull but take too much time (and are boring).
Yes I do believe Tabatas and Intervals are the best training you can do for fat loss and don't discount the anaerobic benefits that you don't get with spending an hour on an exercise bike.
But Tabata Training is a very advanced form of training.Warning!! if you want to try Tabatas they are not for the weak hearted or unconditioned.
If you are a beginner, Learn Interval Training from the best Craig Ballantyne is the man when it comes to intervals. Check out his Turbulence Training site and you won't be sorry.
Start out slowly and gradually work into a full workout. As with any exercise program get a full physical check before you begin.
Combining a Weight Training program 3-4 days a week with Tabata's or interval training 2-3 days a week ( combined with a solid nutrition plan) will get you in the best shape( aerobic and anaerobic ) of your life.
That many workouts a week is for the well conditioned check out the workout I came up wih for a friend of mine shown below. Tabata's and Intervals twice a week and two total body weight training sessions a week. With any form of exercise you chose persistance and consitency are keys to success.

We've been fed the "aerobic" lie for over 30 years. Even doctors have been fooled by this pervasive myth.
The truth is slow aerobic training is terribly inefficient when it comes to losing weight.
It all has to do with a 4-letter acronym: EPOC.
EPOC stands for Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. It's a scientific way of describing the calories you burn after you are done exercising.
With aerobic training, once you're done, you no longer burn calories. That's it. Done.
But with high intensity exercise (even as short as 4 minutes at a time) your body continues to burn calories for up to 2 days later.
That's right - your body is still working hard burning that stubborn fat long after your workout is complete.
What you want to do is the most reps you can of a particular exercise in 20 seconds. It helps if you have a clock with a second hand that you can seeExercises that work well with Tabata Training
Front Squats- Hold a light barbell at shoulder height squat down raise back up.
Thrusts- With a dumbell or Kettlebell in each hand squat down raise up and press the dumbells overhead.
Barbell, Dumbell, Kettlebell Cleans - Take the barbell, dumbell or Kbell from the floor clean to shoulders.
Squat Press- With a Barbell set on your shoulders squat raise up and press it overhead.
Body weight Squats- If your just starting out try these, as your conditioning levels improve move up to using weights.
Kettlebell Swings - Set a kettlebell between your legs bring up to shoulder height. Can also be done with a dumbell but the kettlebell is much more effective.
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For men and women looking to get lean and lose fat, you should go for efficient exercises - obviously the more muscles used per exercise the better.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byVariety, or the lack of, is responsible for killing most cardio routines , along with many others things in life.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCoconutBoy wrote...
This is a great overview of the Tabata Method, which I've used myself for great fat-burning results. Good job!
sarahcopland wrote...
What a great lens, thank you for posting it. I have done this type of training before and it DOES work! Thanks again!
Erzulie wrote...
Fantastic lens! I need to shake up my gym routine & this is just what I need. Thanks for creating!
