Comments on: Tabata Protocol – Complete Exercise Guide

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:11:06 +0000

Hi Robert. This is Rick from(the post above yours). I can't speak for the author from Stronglifts, but as you probably already know that numbers can be made to look how you want them. If you run for 60 min, you will burn more calories than the 15 min of Tabata….initially. But with Tabatas your metabolism shoots through the roof and you burn calories non-stop for about 24-36 hrs(or so). I'm hungry all the time! I call BS if this author thinks that ultimate fat burning is the same for both. All's I know is that I've tried many other cardio workouts(including running forever and a day), and NOTHING compares to Tabatas. HIIT doesn't even compare to Tabatas for anaerobic benefits and fat loss. As I mentioned in my preivious post, I don't even bother with long runs/rides anymore…unless I just feel like it. Tabatas are just in a class by themselves when done right. I'm now 209lbs and my body fat has gone from 14% down to 11% since that last post. +3 lbs mass and -3% body fat. My cardio health has never been better.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:29:00 +0000

I read an article today from Stronglifts.com and he claims Tabatas or HITT are really not any more effective at fat loss than doing steady state cardio. He compares calories burned doing 30 minutes of HITT to 45 minutes of steady state cardio. First, it would not be a tabata if it were that long and probably too long for HITT. He keeps making reference to using the bodybug as a measure of the results. I fail to see how a cheap instrument can give true results compared to the studies Mr Tabata did with his groups. For that matter, what about the countless other studies done showing the elevation of metabolism after HITT and other such protocols. Any thoughts on this?

By: Rick S

Rick S — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:02:50 +0000

I use a stationary bike where I can see all the data, change resistence, and monitor heart rate. After the 3rd round I'm already at max heart rate and just wanna cry for mommy. When I'm done I just wanna die. I've been doing these at least 3 times a week for about 3-4 months now. I'm a 40 year old firefighter and in pretty good shape as it is(5'11" 205), but these Tabatas are truly amazing. Everything that they say about this protocol is true…from the fat loss to aerobic/anaeroebic claims. I won't even do 30-60 minutes anymore…it's not a waste of time…but it's a waste of time lol. Tabatas are the bomb for people who are serious about being fit and who are able to put "mind over matter". My job and recreational hobbies are pretty much anaerobic activities…I'll do Tabatas as long as I can. So far so good!

By: CI

CI — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:12:22 +0000

Great articel. I have been doing Tabada for quite some time now and love it. I love Tabada treadmill work. I just hop off the rails as suggested, but yes it could get harry when one is fatigued.

Let me share an email with you from Dan dated February 08 regarding the Thruster. he changed his philosophy on it a bit. Although I still implement it for Tabada.

“It’s just too complex for the twenty seconds. Fatigue
kicks in and many ahtletes start losing the groove.
Why waste time and energy, when the Front Squat does
the job exactly as we need it?”

By: TheWealthSquad

TheWealthSquad — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:43:16 +0000

I remember those ads. They still show up in airline magazine I believe.

Now i just have to get into good enough shape to do one

Can you lower intensity workouts based on 4 minutes to build a good foundation? It would be a great time saver if you could. I think I will try them for a couple of weeks to see where it goes.

This kind of intense focus is also very applicable to other parts of life such as work as well. Having bursts of extreme focus can allow us to get more done in a very short period of time.

By: Greg Pranzo

Greg Pranzo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:36:15 +0000

Mike, TThis article was cut off on the left side. I could not read everything. Can you re send it please?

By: Mike Guardiola

Mike Guardiola — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:23:07 +0000

i have my Iron Dogs do Tabata finishers with Battling Ropes. Results. Try it, but don’t come after me when your done. I have a love/hate relationship with my Iron Dogs. They hate to love me. haha.

By: P. J. Striet

P. J. Striet — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:46:42 +0000

I remember doing tabatas on a schwinn airdyne back in the late 90’s before everyone jumped on the tabata bandwagon. Yes, they are brutal, and, you have to be fairly fit to even attempt the protocol.

Lyle McDonald wrote about tabatas recently over at his blog, and he pointed out (as Mike hinted at above as well) that most people who claim they are doing tabatas are really not at all. Yes, they may be doing the 20 on 10 off x 8 protocol, but they are not working at even 100% of their VO2, much less 270% of VO2. I often see people posting their tabata workouts at websites. I have to laugh when they claim they do 3 or 4 rounds of tabatas. If you’ve actually done a true tabata workout, you’ll be seeing the grim reaper at the end of the 4 minutes and you won’t even be able to walk to your car, much less do it again and again and again.

Also, KB swings, bodyweight exercises, etc. probably are not going to be intense enough (it might be a good cardio workout but it’s not tabata). Now, something like thrusters or burpees might do it (maybe). Try a burpee holding 30 lb. dumbbells and instead of jumping at the top, do an overhead press. You can also add in a renegade style row after the push-up at the bottom of a burpee. This type of thing will probably make the workout “truly tabata”.

By: Jim Romagna

Jim Romagna — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:23:31 +0000

Great articel. I have been doing Tabada for quite some time now and love it. I love Tabada treadmill work. I just hop off the rails as suggested, but yes it could get harry when one is fatigued.

Let me share an email with you from Dan dated February 08 regarding the Thruster. he changed his philosophy on it a bit. Although I still implement it for Tabada.

“It’s just too complex for the twenty seconds. Fatigue
kicks in and many ahtletes start losing the groove.
Why waste time and energy, when the Front Squat does
the job exactly as we need it?”

By: Michael Navin

Michael Navin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:12:29 +0000

Yup, Tabata’s are great. I use them in my group classes and the clients love them (well, love the results they get from them but want to kill me every time I say at the two minute mark “okay, you’re halfway there.”