The Ins and Outs of Tabata Training

In the past, when you spoke of intense training at the gym, you’d usually be doing steady-rate cardio workouts and lifting a couple of weights. And while there’s nothing wrong with good old-fashioned cardio, other types of workouts have gained popularity for burning calories, and building muscle.

Tabata training consist of a four-minute workout designed to improve your “aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, VO2 max, resting metabolic rate, and…help you burn more fat.” Created by Dr Izumi Tabata, a Japanese physician and researcher, Tabata is a type of high-intensity interval training which involves 20 second of vigorous cardio workouts like lunges, running or jumping jacks, followed by a resting period of 10 seconds. This process is usually involves eight intervals which make up a four-minute, high-intensity workout.

But before you Google Tabata workouts on Youtube, or ask your trainer if you can switch up your workout, it’s important to know that Tabata training isn’t for the faint-hearted (literally). These length of these workout might make Tabata look deceptively easy but as Mike Wunsch, a California-based strength and conditioning trainer, told Women’s Health, it’s better to “master good form and increase your strength before you attempt a Tabata.”

Once you’ve improved on your fitness, Tabata training can be a great way to fit in a quick workout when you’re on the run, or overwhelmed with work. The secret to maximizing this form of training is to ensure you have a timer handy, listen to your body as you attempt different types of workouts, and find a tempo and intensity at a level which makes sense for you. Oh and remember to stay motivated throughout the burn too!