Tabata Protocol: Super Fat Burning Cardio Workout
Would you be excited if I said that there was a way to burn off the same amount of fat that you would lose in one hour of cardio, but in only 4 minutes? Are you wondering what’s the catch? You have to exercise harder and more intensely than you ever have before. Still with me? Then let’s explore this method, which is called the Tabata protocol.
This process was developed by Izumi Tabata, who investigated the effects of strenuous exercise for the Japanese National Institute of Fitness and Sports. The coach of the Japanese speed skating team developed a high intensity interval training routine, and Izumi Tabata evaluated its effectiveness. The program developed for the speed skaters centered on a maximum sprint effort that lasted 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of resting. This 20 second / 10 second set is performed 6 to 8 times in a row, so it only takes 4 minutes.
You’re probably thinking that this sounds ridiculously easy, but once you try your first set of all out sprinting for 20 seconds with almost no recovery time in between, you’ll find you’re short of breath almost right away. It’s not uncommon to feel nauseous after completing this routine. These were world-class Olympic athletes in this case as well, not just some average skaters. Speed skaters are often the most physically fit athletes around and yet many of the Japanese skaters who were trying out this program for the first time had to quit after only 6 intervals. When I’ve used this system, I’ve found that I can go all out for the first 4-6 intervals, but that I drop off off for the final 2-4 intervals. I’m still giving it my best effort during those final intervals, but I’m just too worn out to give the same best effort that I did during the earlier intervals.
Most people think they need to stay on the treadmill or elliptical for at least 20 minutes before any fat burning begins. How could this simple 4 minute routine possibly be so much more effective? The short high intensity intervals result in a significant “after burn effect” in which your body continues burning calories for hours after you complete the workout. During the workout, your body uses up all of the available glycogens (carbs) in your system, so your body is forced to burn fat the rest of the day. Another great result of the Tabata protocol is that it can increase not just your aerobic capacity, like the typical moderate intensity cardio program, but it also increases your anaerobic capacity.
The Tabata protocol can also be used with a wide range of exercises, so it can be adapted to location or personal tastes. I tend to only perform these high intensity intervals using cardio exercises, but you could easily use weights or bodyweight exercises. Do as many reps as you can in 20 seconds. Take a brief 10 second rest and begin again. If you’re using weights in your program, then make sure you select a lighter weight because this is really going to test your stamina.
Though the Tabata protocol itself takes a mere 4 minutes, you should also leave time for both a warm up and cool down period. I usually warm up for 4 – 5 minutes. I do a 1-2 minute cool down and immediately catch my breath and drink some water. This takes about 10 minutes overall to complete the routine. Like most people, I try to set aside more than 10 minutes for my workout, so I usually fill the rest of the time with a steady cardio workout. Your glycogen levels will be reduced and fatty acids will be released when you use the Tabata protocol. You can continue to burn off those fatty acids using the steady state cardio, allowing your body to take advantage of those low glycogen levels and increase your overall fat burning. In this manner, the Tabata protocol can provide the best fat burning cardio workout.
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