Why Tabata Workouts Are Ideal for Busy People

Posted by georgel on Mar 6, 2010 |

The latest edition of the IDEA Fitness Journal claims that the Tabata protocol is one of the fastest growing fitness trends for 2010. This is the same protocol I’ve been talking about for the last two years as the ideal fat loss workout protocol for busy people like you and me. I’m glad they’re finally catching up.

“Tabata Who?”

The Tabata protocol started in 1996 with a study published by exercise physiologist Dr. Izumi Tabata of the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Japan. The study (which you can read on your own here: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ) found that people who exercised with extreme high-intensity using a four minute interval a day, five days a week over the course of six weeks saw increased improvements in uptake of oxygen into their muscles vs. when they performed moderate-intensity endurance exercises for an hour a day, five days a week (Oxygen intake is important because the more oxygen your body takes in, the more calories you burn).

The idea is that four minutes of high intensity exercise intervals could increase muscle mass and burn calories faster than an hour of cardiovascular activity like biking or running.

Think about that for a minute…four minutes a day vs. one hour a day…with improved results.

In short, the study concluded that high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) was a much more effective and efficient training method than traditional cardio training.

Not only was exercise utilizing the Tabata protocol more effective at improving anaerobic endurance, it was also more effective at improving aerobic or cardio-vascular endurance.

This makes the Tabata exercise protocol ideal for fat loss and fat loss workouts. Not only that, but can you think of a better exercise regimen for busy people? As stated above, working out “Tabata-style” can also help you:

• Improve your energy levels

• Add muscle = more calories burned, even when resting

• Burn more calories (because your body is consuming more generic levitra online oxygen during each workout)

• Improve your cardiovascular or aerobic endurance

• Improve your anaerobic endurance

• Improve your muscular endurance

• Build strength

• Help you feel and look great

So how do you get started with the Tabata protocol?

First get yourself an interval timer. You can do that in a couple of ways:

• Download My BusyBod Quick-Start Fat Loss Kit by filling in the form to the right. This will include a free 20-10 MP3.

• Buy a GymBoss interval timer. This is a great product that I highly recommend. Well worth the $19.99

Second, select a system that will provide you with effective full body workouts based on the Tabata protocol. My two favorite:

• BusyBod Workout System Yes, I’m biased, however it’s the same system I use, the same system I use to train my clients cod soma sale and it just flat out works, period.

• BodyBot I love this program because it allows the user to create their own Tabata fat loss full body workouts with thousands of variations all while allowing them to see, via video, how the exercise is performed. Many of my old clients now utilize this simple to use system instead of training with me. They now just pay me a small fee to develop a new routine for them every month and it’s almost like having their own personal trainer right there at home or on the road. Awesome!

You can also check out some sample videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsd0kiV35GY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zp2vxBwzkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVYItiUF7kY

Third, carve out about 15-20 minutes a day and start getting to work! This protocol is proven, produces amazing results and can literally change your life if you stick with it. Given the short time commitment required, chances are much higher that you’ll stick with it. So what are you waiting for?

Let me know what you think about the Tabata protocol or if you’re currently using it by posting below!

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http://www.fitbusypeople.com/2011/01/02/new-years-resolutions-for-busy-people/ New Years "Resolutions" for Busy People

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