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Today's the Day: Blog

Tabata

Posted: Thursday, March 12th, 2009

These days squeezing in my normal workout is getting harder and harder to do. My husband is quick to point out that I need that workout, for my own sanity and that of my family. I’ve heard it from so many of you. "I just can’t find the time to get in a workout". I hear you, I feel your pain, and I’m on the lookout for ways to help you and myself (maybe at this point, a little more myself). I am desperate right now to find some "me" time even if it's just for a few minutes. And I may have found a temporary solution to my lack of time problem.

Today we introduced you to Lauren Scott who is a personal trainer at the Good Life Fitness Club in Barhaven. Over the years I have met Lauren at the gym and have seen her working with her clients. I was always really impressed with her style and creativity. Lauren and I were actually pregnant with our second children at the same time and I can admit that she rebounded from her pregnancy with flying colors. In fact, she is in better shape then before having either one of her kids and I am really jealous!!

Lauren introduced us to something called Tabata: Here is how she described it:

The Tabata Method was invented by Dr. Izumi Tabata, a researcher from Japan. A form of High Intensity Interval Training(HIIT), it is a 20 second work period to a 10 second rest period for 8 intervals.  The benefits of the Tabata Method are that it improves aerobic and anaerobic capacities, so you are able to go longer, harder. Essentially you can get an amazing workout in just 4 minutes. You can use Tabata with just about anything.  You want to use large muscle groups, multiple muscle groups, or full body moves such as, thrusters, push ups, pull-ups, burpees, squats, skipping.

Note: The Tabata Method is very taxing on the system and is not recommended for the deconditioned.

For the segment I opted to do the burpees with Lauren in tow. I tried it from start to finish and for those of you who caught the segment could see that I was depleted once the 4 minutes were up. My heart rate was kicking, my legs and arms tired and my time slot filled. Four minutes and I could walk away.  I had a pretty quick recovery time and opted to go for a second round using a different exercise. So for the first one I did the burpees, the second the skipping. I plan on doing a lot more of this with my packed work schedule, and the best part is I don’t even actually need to get to the gym, most of the tabata exercises can be done without the use of gym equipment. Keep in mind; you do need to be in descent physical condition to do this. This is not an exercise for the beginners. I came home and told my husband that I had something fun and challenging for him to try. I am eager to see how he managed!

To get in touch with Lauren or learn more about this you can contact her at lauren.scott@goodlifemakesiteasy.com.

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