I am always looking for new workouts to try. I have tried it all from traditional weights, to body weight, to kettle bells, to suspension trainers, to medicine balls, to sandbags and everything in between! So when I read something about a new trend in workouts, I try it out and pass it along to you.
Tabata is a high intensity regimen that gets results quickly. It is an interval training cycle of 20 seconds of maximum, hard as you can intensity, 10 seconds rest, then repeat for 8 times, for a total of a 4 minute workout.
Let’s do a basic example of crunches. So you would do as many crunches as you can, as fast as you can for 20 seconds. Then stop for 10 seconds. That is one “set”. You do 8 total sets, basically 4 minutes of working out. Easy, right? WRONG! Give it a try. Do body weight squats using this method. Your leg’s will be screaming at you after the 3rd set.
Please note that I am not saying you will get ripped in 4 minutes. Sorry – not going to happen. What I am telling you is that using this method, you can get a great working in only a few minutes. But you need to use it in conjunction with a full and complete workout. Just doing 4 minutes of any one exercise isn’t going to work. Try this out for a great tabata style bodyweight workout:
-Bodyweight Squats: Do as many squats as you can in 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Complete 8 rounds.
-Pushups: After the squats, do pushups, do as many pushups as you can in 20 seconds. Rest for 10. Complete 8 rounds.
-Planks: Hold a plank for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds. Complete 8 rounds.
12 minute workout. You hit lower body, upper body and abs. You got a high intensity workout that focuses a little on cardio, and a little on strength. How do you like them apples?
Tabata workouts are also a great way to mix up your routines if you hit a plateau. The best way to continuously get results is not let your body adapt to any one thing. So if you are use to the same ol routine and you are not getting results, switch up your routine with a tabata workout.
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