Why Tabata is the HIIT Workout You've Been Missing

If you’re looking for a high-intensity workout that is short and sweet, tabata is the answer. While there are already plenty of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts out there, tabata is an incredibly efficient form of the workout style. Too many times people use the excuse that they just don’t have enough time to work out, but can you really use that excuse if the workout lasts just four minutes?

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What is Tabata?

Tabata is a form of HIIT that involves eight rounds of 20-second work intervals with just ten seconds of rest in between. So in total, the workout lasts for only four minutes. However, tabata can be quite challenging since you are working at such a high intensity for those short bursts of time.

While four minutes may not seem like a lot, tabata is actually incredibly effective. Studies have shown that tabata can improve your aerobic and anaerobic capacity as well as your VO₂ max (the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can utilize during exercise). Tabata has also been shown to burn more calories in the short-term and help you build lean muscle mass in the long-term.

If you’re looking to add a tabata workout into your routine, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that you warm up properly before starting the workout. A good warm-up will help prepare your body for the intense exercise to come and help reduce your risk of injury. Second, since tabata is a HIIT workout, it is important to push yourself as hard as you can during those 20-second intervals. Remember that you only have ten seconds of rest in between so you want to make sure that you’re really working hard during the work intervals. Finally, be sure to cool down and stretch after your tabata workout. A cool-down will help your body recover from the intense exercise and stretching will help reduce any muscle soreness that you may experience.

So if you’re looking for a quick and effective workout, tabata is a great option. It’s also a great way to mix up your HIIT workouts and add some variety to your routine. Give tabata a try and see how you like it!