Tabata – What is it and why are the workouts so effective?
The trend of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Short bursts of intense training has been proven to be incredibly good for your body, and can have a higher calorie burn and toning effect than long, lengthy workouts. One of the most popular forms of HIIT is Tabata. So, what is it and why are the workouts so effective?
Tabata focuses on a specific pattern: 20 seconds of extremely hard work, with 10 seconds of rest in between.
Typically, tabata workouts consist of eight rounds following this kind of interval training, adding up to four minutes. Then, you can move to another eight rounds of another difficult exercise, and so on, if you choose. Tabata can be incredibly intense, since you’re focusing so much effort at once, with little rest in between. But, it’s also incredibly effective!
What Makes Tabata Work?
The idea behind tabata is that you should be doing something that pushes you to the absolute limit for 20 seconds, and then rest for 10, and repeat. These short bursts of cardiovascular exercise improves your overall cardio health, oxygen levels, and core.
These short bursts cause your heart rate to go up, and will spike your metabolism in such a way that even after you’re done working out. Essentially your metabolism will be on overdrive, burning fat for hours after your session.
Exercises like jumping rope, push-ups, pull-ups, and work with a medicine ball can be incorporated into a tabata routine. As long as you’re performing a high intensity interval each time, you’ll be making the most out of a tabata workout.
If you’re interested in giving it a try, be sure to push yourself, but listen to your body. It’s called HIIT for a reason, and sometimes, this type of workout has to be something you ‘work’ your way toward.
Want to get started on some Tabata workouts?
Try the workouts here: