Turned Up The Intensity: Tabata!

Aug 21, 2011

My fitnes routine had been weight training 3 times per week and cardio 3 times per week.  That normally equates to 6 days per week, if I stay on schedule.  If I miss one day, then I had to double up the next day or do a morning workout AND an evening workout on the same day.  It was getting harder to maintain a six time per week schedule.

This month I have been trying an alternate schedule.  I cut the schedule in half, down to three days per week.  Three days of weight training.  At the end of each session, I conduct the Tabata protocol.  It is a condensed high intensity interval training (HIIT).  For more info, Google Tabata.  Instead of spending an hour per cardio session, my cardio is now 4 mins.  Yeah, I agree, it does sound too good to be true.  I've conducted much research and have made the decision to proceed.  I will give it the rest of this month and perhaps next month to see how things go. 

Tabata is basically 20 seconds intervals of kick ass ballz to the wallz movements that use your large muscle groups (thighs, back, hips, ass etc), then 10 second breaks until 4 minutes is reached.  Front squats are perfect.  I conduct kettle bell swings using the 40 lb bell.  In order for it to work, you HAVE to really push through with MAX intensity and speed for the entire 20 seconds.  I focus on those two words during each 20 second movement.  There are even several iPhone and Android timer aps to help keep up with the intervals.  At the end of the four mins, I'm bent over in a near fetal position.  To get a true appreciation, do a Youtube search (Tabata kettlebell). 

Stay Motivated!!

echo OUT! 

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