San Antonio Personal Training

10/30/08

As many of you know, particularly if you are my client, I love short but high intensity cardio sessions.  Many times I have discussed the benefits of H.I.I.T. training here on my blog, such as using sprints for cardio training rather than long distance runs. 

Another type of workout that are now starting to gain popularity are Tabatas.  Tabatas are only 4 minutes long, but they are done at a very high intensity level.  In a Tabata, you perform an exercise as fast as you possibly can for 20secs.  You then take a 10sec break, and then repeat this process 7 more times.  At the end of 4 minutes you should be exhausted, as you have pushed yourself at an extremely high intensity for over  3 minutes with 40 sec. coming as a brief rest to allow you body to take in oxygen.

If you are in good shape and you are looking for a way to push yourself a little further in your workouts then try doing a Tabata.  If after you complete the first Tabata and you feel good after taking a 1-3min break, then do another Tabata with a different type of exercise.  If you can do this type of exercise for a total of 20-24minutes you are in excellent shape.

If you can do 12-16minutes worth of Tabatas you are in good shape and you are getting in a great workout and you will continue to get in better and better shape!

Want to give a Tabata workout a shot?  Here is a series for you to try today:

-Jumping Jacks- 20sec fast/10sec rest- repeat 8 times

rest 2 mins

-Pushups-20sec fast/10sec rest-repeat 8times

rest 2 mins

-Squat Jumps- 20sec fast/10sec rest-repeat 8 times

rest 2 mins

-Sprints- 20sec @ 100%/10sec rest-repeat 8 times

Try that workout and if you are not exhausted at the end, then you simply did not go 100% throughout the workout!

If you are interested in trying Tabatas, but you know you won't have the discipline to push yourself hard enough to get anything out of it, then join the MPT Fitness Boot Camp .  We did a great workout yesterday that involved 5 rounds of Tabatas and everyone was exhausted by the end!  Tabatas are part of the reason people in the MPT Fitness Boot Camp have been able to lose upwards of 30+ pounds, while putting on muscle and completely changing their body composition!

Make it a great day San Antonio!

Nicholas Wood

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www.sampt.com