What Is Tabata? Tabata is a form of HIIT, (High Intensity Interval Training) workout that focuses on short intense workout bursts. For every exercise you do about eight rounds of 20 seconds of high intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. It was developed by Dr Izumi Tabata in 1996, and the goal of Tabata is at a higher intensity than regular HIIT workout.
What Is Tabata? iStock-photo credit: Prostock-studio
A full Tabata workout lasts for about 20 minutes and each round is about 4 minutes and involves 8 sets of 20 seconds of high intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest.
Some sample Tabata workouts that you can do are mountain climbers, high knees, burpees, squat jumps, suicides, jumping jacks, etc.
The main goal of tabata is to maximize the most benefits in the shortest amount of time. This type of workout appeals to people that don’t want to exercise for more than 20 to 25 minutes. But not everybody can do this because you have to be in good cardiovascular shape to do Tabata because of how intense it is.
Some of the top health benefits of Tabata:
- Improved cardiovascular fitness level.
- Raise your heart rate.
- Boost your metabolism.
- Improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels.
A small 2013 research study showed that people that followed a 20-minute Tabata workout improved their cardiovascular endurance, and they burned more calories than the usual rate.
Tabata training is almost like the advanced intense version of a HIIT workout. You want to graduate to Tabata and start off with a simple HIIT training workout first.
What’s interesting is not everybody finds Tabata exciting. In fact, there was a 2015 research study that found that Tabata training was significantly less enjoyable than other less intense types of exercises.
The Bottom Line is Tabata is a high intensity interval training workout that consists of short intense workouts. And that workout consists of eight rounds of 20 seconds of high intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest.
If you have any interest in trying any of our Ethical Supplement products to help you heighten your immune system or assist you with your fitness, weight loss or health goals. You can get a discount below at this link.
About Author- Obi Obadike
Sharecare Names Top 10 Fittest Cities in America – Sharecare
References
- Foster C, Farland CV, Guidotti F, Harbin M, Roberts B, Schuette J, Tuuri A, Doberstein ST, Porcari JP. The Effects of High Intensity Interval Training vs Steady State Training on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity. J Sports Sci Med. 2015 Nov 24;14(4):747-55. PMID: 26664271; PMCID: PMC4657417.
- Emberts T, Porcari J, Dobers-Tein S, Steffen J, Foster C. Exercise intensity and energy expenditure of a tabata workout. J Sports Sci Med. 2013 Sep 1;12(3):612-3. PMID: 24137082; PMCID: PMC3772611.
