Tabata Training?

[shandi76]

Does anyone here have any experience of Tabata training?

I was talking to one of my gym buddies who has hired a PT and he has her doing Tabata training as he said it was one of the fastest ways for her to burn fat and get in shape.

The basic idea is it takes 4 minutes and you do it 2 times a month, as an addition to your usual training.
20 seconds at 100% maximum effort (e.g. 90 - 100% of maximum heart rate) then 10 seconds recovery at 50% effort.
Rinse and repeat 8 times.

Studies have shown that it increases post workout calorie burn due to oxygen deficit. It also increases VO2 Max and muscular endurance. You can do it on a cardio machine (too hard on a treadmill unfortunately as they don't slow down fast enough for the recovery sections) but some people also try it with weights e.g some kettlebell exercises that exercise several major muscle groups.

I can't decide whether it sounds fantastic or terrifying.

[Artemis Windsong]

Youtube has some videos on Tabata. Last winter, I did this for a while on a stationary bike and didn't notice a difference. Two things I did not do is turn the machine to maximum, and continue doing it over time.

I think it will work when included with a rounded workout program.

[pig]

I'm sorry but if you believe that doing anything twice a month for 4 minute would do anything significant I've got a bridge to sell you!

[Artemis Windsong]

That is "in addition to your usual training". Rather than instead of training.