Tabata is a high-intensity, short workout that has enormous health and fitness benefits, and it has taken the fitness world by storm.
Is it like CrossFit? Yes.
Is it like circuit training? Yes.
Actually, it is a bit of both.
The name Tabata was founded from the man who invented it – Dr. Izumi Tabata, a Japanese physician and researcher. He conducted a study using an interval-based training model.
His objective was to see if athletes would benefit from a 20/10 session repeated eight times. This means 20 seconds of all-out exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. This adds up to four minutes total.
Phew, we’re tired just thinking about it!
Originally Dr. Izumi Tabata developed Tabata to push the body as hard as it can possibly go, to increase oxygen intake and improve fitness.
The original Tabata workout was done on a specialised bike where elite athletes pushed for 20 seconds and rested for 10 second, repeating the intervals for a total of four minutes.
Since the original Tabata was established, Personal Trainers have created all sorts of variations that are referred to as “Tabata” workouts.
An example of a Tabata workout used by our team would be 20-second intervals each of:
- Jumping jacks
- Burpees
- Ice skater
- And jump squats
With 10-second rest periods between each.
Many exercises and types of equipment can be incorporated into the Tabata. You could use push ups, planks, squats, stability ball exercises, resistance bands, weights, or a bench.