Tabata - does this actually work?

[positively9something]

I have started reading about this and wondering if it actually works?

It says your have to work as intensely as possible for 29 seconds then 10 seconds rest! This goes on for 4 minutes.

Any information or experience with this?

[ThursdayLast]

I enjoy 'tabata style' workouts.
They do get you sweating fast and feel v efficient.
Not sure I could have my whole regime based on it though.
Have a look on fitness blender, they do HIIT rountines.

[RiojaHaze]

I do a tabata class and it's the hardest thing I do exercise wise.

Really enjoy it though and my fitness has improved. Couldn't honestly say if it's down to that alone though.

[Puttheshelvesup]

My dh does this and his fitness has definitely improved. He insists on talking about it ALL THE BLOODY TIME though, which is tiresome. I have taken to calling it 'ciabatta' training in protest, which pisses him off no end

[positively9something]

I saw fitness blender mentioned on another thread, do you have to pay for their workouts? Also are the diet plans any good?

[positively9something]

Rio - how long is the class? As it says the workout only needs to be 4mins?

Are there any good DVDs that can be used at home?

[positively9something]

Put - haha you meanie, glad it's working for your dh does he take classes or do it at home?

[Puttheshelvesup]

He does it as part of his gym regime, so a trainer has introduced him to it. I don't know much about it really, other than that he is very enthusiastic about it.

[ThursdayLast]

No idea about their diet plan, but the work outs are free
Fitness Blender
I think pure tabata is 4 mins, but these are more high intensity intervals. I figure, the more you do the better!

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Second fitness blender. I love tabata style as just when you think you are going to die you switch to something else. 4 minutes is not long enough to do any real good however it's better than nowt.

[RiojaHaze]

We do 8 sets of exercise of 20 seconds with the 10 seconds rest I between. Normally do this 8 times so that's 24 minutes total.

Usually that will be 4 different exercises for each set but on Friday it was just 2 (high knees then press ups; planking then burpees eg) and that was a KILLER!

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Burpees are so tough but I think they are the single best exercise you can do, it's got it all going on.

[RiojaHaze]

Yeah by the end my burpees were more burrrrrs!

[RayofSun]

The tabata app is pretty good so you an basically make up your own exercise routine and just work flat out to the timer