A four-minute workout seems too good to be true, but Tabata Protocol makes it a reality by intensely working both aerobic and anaerobic pathways. Tabata involves cardio and strength-training exercises completed in rapid-fire 20-second bursts alternated with 10-second breaks. Those 20-second exercises can include anything from sprints, to squats, to lifting weights. The cycle is then repeated six to eight times. Those ultra-short rest periods prevent the body from fully recovering between sets, meaning it has to work harder each round— definitely not a workout for the faint of heart. Even for those not yet capable of a full-on Tabata workout, a few rounds of Tabata-style exercises can start you on the road to stardom.
The Takeaway: Try a Tabata workout for an effective workout when time is tight.
Tababababa-what?
Tabata isn’t the only scary lingo thrown around at the gym. What are compound movements and forced reps, anyway?
Fun Fact:
Tabata is named after Dr. Izumi Tabata, a researcher who was the first to find a way to train both aerobic and anaerobic pathways back in 1996. Hat-tip to you, Doc.
