Tabata Training

Today I did what is known has tabata training, this style of exercise is brief but is the most intense routine I have EVER done.

The exercise lasts for 4 minutes and the cycle is 20 seconds of work with 10 seconds rest 8 times (4 minutes). I did 4 exercsies however, using the tabata method for each one lasting a total of 16 minutes. When this style was being researched, participants burned more fat than those doing regular exercise because it raises your metabolic rate for a long time after the exercise is finished.

I was absolutley dripping in sweat and in total agony by the end of training today and reached failiure more than once. I had to really dig deep to complete the routine has I felt unbearable fatigue.

When I had finished I was very happy with the effort I had just put in. I highly recommend you try this style of training.

Here is a piece on the Tabata method from t-nation:

"Tabata is the name of a Japanese researcher who discovered an interesting way to increase both anaerobic and aerobic pathways at the same time. It's one of those strange training programs that seems to fit across disciplines: it's excellent for bicyclists, speed skaters, Olympic lifters, or the person looking to lose fat quickly.

This training method is so simple, yet so incredibly difficult, that athletes tend to try it once, acknowledge its greatness, and then vow to never speak its name again. What is it? It's simple: take one exercise and perform it in the following manner:

1) For twenty seconds, do as many repetitions as possible.

2) Rest for ten seconds

3) Repeat seven more times!

That's it! You're done in four minutes! Oh, and that thing you're trying to brush off your face? That would be the floor.

Eight sets of "as many reps as you can get done," followed with a brief ten second rest— simple and effective. The two best exercise options for the Tabata method are the front squats and the "thruster," which I'll describe in a bit.

It helps to have someone record the reps of each set for you because, well, you won’t remember after you pass out. I use the "lowest rep number" of any of the eight sets as my measurement to compare workout to workout. If you go too heavy, that number might be two. If you go too light, you might find yourself getting around 15 reps or more."

Try it, I dare ya!!!!!

Jamie