Tabata Blogga
Here at Empower Raleigh, we specialize in Personal Training and offer a very diverse group of Fitness Classes. One of the classes that I teach, Tabata, is not for the faint of heart. You may or may not be familiar with this type of interval training known as Tabata, so I am here to fill you in on some of the facts.
The history of Tabata dates back to the early 90’s when a Japanese Doctor, Izumi Tabata, was performing some research on a group of speed skaters. He played around with different work/rest intervals to try and find the sweet spot as far getting both a good aerobic and anaerobic workout. He finally found this “sweet spot” with 8 sets of 20″ of exercise followed by a mere 10″ of recovery.
As far as implementation of this interval training, the devil is in the details. In order to truly reap the benefits of this type of training which include: increased anaerobic and aerobic power, increased VO2 max, improved insulin sensitivity, elevated post workout metabolism, and increased growth hormone production, the exerciser must attempt to go bananas(not so scientific term for all out) for all 8 sets.
I can tell you from experience that if you are pushing yourself hard, then you will usually be sucking wind pretty hard by sets 6 and 7. Dr Tabata has said several times that if you feel good immediately following the workout, then you didn’t do it right. Having said this, I think it is important for clients to ease into these workouts and push themselves within their limits. Once a reasonable level of fitness, technique, and strength are reached, then the participant can start to “get after it.”
The beauty of this training is that you can knock out a few sets of Tabata if you are pressed for time and need to get back to your daily routine. That’s why we currently have a 45′ midday class so you can get the workout in, then go back to your desk job where you can day dream about different Tabata exercises. Maybe not, but, you will have gotten a great workout in. Having said all this, I highly recommend you come in and give Tabata a shota.
Eric Broadbent
Personal Trainer/Group Fitness
Empower Personalized Fitness Raleigh
