Health Habits

WARNING: Tabata Workouts WILL Cause Fat Loss

A couple of days ago, I introduced you to one of my favorite training methods:  Tabata Workouts…

tabata WARNING: Tabata Workouts WILL Cause Fat Loss

At the end of that post, I promised you a pair of  Tabata style workouts.

And, seeing that I am a man of my word, I’m going to deliver…

tabata training before and after pictures WARNING: Tabata Workouts WILL Cause Fat Loss

…but, before I dive right into the workouts, I should probably review some of the theory / rules behind these tabata workouts.

Pre-Workout Checklist

  1. Pick an exercise that uses a lot of muscle – squats, power cleans, pull-ups, etc… To make that selection, you can choose from the list of exercises that I have provided or pick your own if you think my choices stink.
  2. Pick a weight that you can handle for at least 7 reps.

Execution

  1. Perform as many reps as possible within 20 seconds - maintain good form
  2. Rest for 10 seconds
  3. Perform 7 more sets
  4. Move on to the next exercise

Note:  Use a clock, stopwatch, workout buddy or a dedicated HIIT timer to keep track of your work sets and rest periods. I prefer….

The Workouts

Instead of giving you a static workout with pre-selected exercises, I have decided to organize the workout by movement patterns (e.g. Vertical Push) or dominant muscle groups (Quadriceps).

Within those groups, I have given you a list of related exercises.

For example, within the Vertical Push Movement Group, you can choose from 1 Arm Overhead PressPush Presses, 1 Arm Grappler Presses, Side Presses, etc…

Remember, the goal is to go as hard as you can for 8 sets of 20 seconds.

  • Don’t use this workout to try out new exercises – You won’t be able to develop maximum intensity if you need to concentrate on technique. Choose exercises that you know you can perform effectively and safely.
  • If you can’t make it through all 8 sets because of the lactic burn to a muscle, eliminate that exercise and replace it with one that uses more muscles. e.g. a push press uses more muscles than an overhead barbell press.
  • Single limb exercises allow you overcome this problem as well – e.g. 1 Arm Overhead Press v.s. Barbell Overhead Press

Tabata Workout # 1

  1. Vertical Push Movement
  2. Horizontal Pull Movement
  3. Quadriceps Dominant Movement
  4. Core Stabilization – focus on Spinal Flexion & Extension
  5. Vertical Push Movement – optional
  6. Horizontal Pull Movement – optional
  7. Quadriceps Dominant Movement – optional
  • Feel free to re-arrange the order of Exercises 1, 2 and 3. It doesn’t really make a difference.
  • Sets 5 to 7 are for advanced athletes only. Remember, intensity is the key to Tabata success. Don’t try and pace yourself in order to add another set. Go full out on each set. Believe me, 4 sets of full intensity Tabatas should be enough to have you soaking wet with sweat and bordering on nausea.

Tabata Workout # 2

  1. Vertical Pull Movement
  2. Horizontal Push Movement
  3. Hamstrings/Glute Dominant Movement
  4. Core Stabilization – focus on Rotation and Lateral Flexion
  5. Vertical Pull Movement – optional
  6. Horizontal Push Movement – optional
  7. Hamstring/Glute Dominant Movement – optional
  • Feel free to re-arrange the order of Exercises 1, 2 and 3. It doesn’t really make a difference.
  • Sets 5 to 7 are for advanced athletes only. Remember, intensity is the key to Tabata success. Don’t try and pace yourself in order to add another set. Go full out on each set. Believe me, 4 sets of full intensity Tabatas should be enough to have you soaking wet with sweat and bordering on nausea.

Vertical Push Movement

Horizontal Pull Movement

  • 1 Arm Standing Cable Row or Band Row
  • Body-weight Rowuse an adjustable power rack or Smith machine. This allows you to modify the angle of pull and the percentage of body-weight. Also, change your grips from set to set – width, underhand, overhand
  • 1 Arm or 2 Arm Seated Rows – I prefer the standing rows because of their high demand for stabilization, but the seated version is pretty good as well
  • Avoid any bent-over movements – Your lower back will fail long before the rest of you

Quadriceps Dominant Movement

  • Front Squats – Dumbbells or Barbell
  • Body-weight or Weighted Vest Squats – 1 Leg or 2
  • Overhead Squats1 Arm or 2, 1 Leg or 2
  • Quad Dominant Lunges – Lunge forward onto the ball of your foot AND keep your step short and allow the knee to travel past your toes…I know, I know, everyone says not to lunge this way, but it really hits the quads. BTW, take a look at how far your knee travels past your toes as you climb a flight of stairs…ooooh scary stuff.
  • Bench Step-Ups
  • Bulgarian Lunge/Squat

Core Stabilization – focus on Spinal Flexion & Extension

  • Standing Cable or Band Crunch
  • The Ab Wheel
  • Leg raises/Knee-Ups / Crunches (various) - I would skip these exercises – you will fatigue quickly and you will probably have to cheat to complete all 8 sets

Vertical Pull Movement

Horizontal Push Movement

  • Push-Ups – like the Body-weight Row, use a Smith machine to adjust angles and body-weight resistance. Also, adjust hand placement (width, overhand, underhand) from set to set. Trust me, switching grips will increase the number of reps you will be able to perform
  • 1 Arm Standing Cable Press or Band Presses
  • Stay away from any standard bench press type exercise. The lactic acid will hit way too soon. You will never get a good Tabata workout…trust me. The cable/band exercise is the best choice. Even the push-ups allow you to use your legs and core to help perform the lift. You need these extra muscles to take some of the load

Hamstring/Glute Dominant Movement

Core Stabilization – focus on Rotation and Lateral Flexion

And while it’s not required, I highly recommend using an interval timer with your Tabatas. Trying to watch the clock an do these workouts is a real pain in the butt.

More Tabata Workouts:

Doug Robb is a personal trainer, a fitness blogger and author, a competitive athlete, and a student of nutrition and exercise science. Since 2008, Doug has expanded his impact by bringing his real-world experience online via his health & fitness blog, Health Habits. Read more posts by Doug at Hive Health Media.

81 Comments

  1. jeannie

    February 7, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    hello there i have been stuck at the sam weight for months so i am going to try this to see if i can lose 15 ponds in thenext couple months . if you can give me any advice pleaseemailme at pandabearpaige@yahoo.com i need alot of help im tired of being 15 pounds over weight.

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  6. HollandHammer

    December 18, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Tabata is a great method, tires you out in no time, but with great result. For the origin of the Tabata method you can go here: http://bit.ly/rp9bE7. I recently downloaded a free app Tabata Timer, which is a simple but great help when you do your exercises. hollandhammer @HollandHammer

  7. yujesh

    December 29, 2011 at 3:42 am

    Most overweight individuals desire to lose some weight and
    many have been on a diet and have been able to lose some weight.
    But in most cases the weight comes back quite quickly.
    Below we provide a few suggestions which should be helpful
    to anybody considering starting another diet:
    1. Keep away from processed foods
    2. Avoid sugar
    3. Eat healthy foods
    4. Get more exercise
    5. Consider why you eat
    6. Restrict alcohol consumption

  8. yujesh

    January 9, 2012 at 1:54 am

    Most overweight individuals desire to lose some weight and many have been on a diet and have been able to lose some weight. But in most cases the weight comes back quite quickly. Below we provide a few suggestions which should be helpful to anybody considering starting another diet:1. Keep away from processed foods 2. Avoid sugar 3. Eat healthy foods 4. Get more exercise 5. Consider why you eat 6. Restrict alcohol consumption

  9. bigal1

    February 6, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    To lose weight is a good thing, however one must undrestand that it’s not just the body that needs to change but aldo the mind. And as we lift weights we ca ndo yhe body some good.epic

  10. Ean007

    December 7, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Tabata workouts rock ! By far the best for weightless. Would be great if you had a audio / voice over programme with stop & start instructions.

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  12. DR

    January 21, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    Well, you are a little more advanced than most people

  13. DR

    January 22, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    He’s not just the president of Manssiere Inc, he’s also a client.

  14. DR

    January 28, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Very nice timer Jamie.

    I don’t have any idea how to do it, but it would be awesome if it could be downloaded to an iPhone.

    On a related note, I just received a portable interval timer and I will be trying it out next week – post will follow.

  15. DR

    January 30, 2009 at 8:02 am

    Here are some health & fitness iPhone apps – thanks to Kelly Sonora

  16. DR

    February 3, 2009 at 11:19 am

    Hi Felix

    To avoid messing with your current routine, I would try adding some aerobic HIIT training into your current swimming/running routine. Start easy with the beginner routine included in this post. If that’s too easy for you, I can give you a hand ramping it up a bit.

    Bodyweight exercises are also a good tool – This post might help you put together an anaerobic HIIT training program

    Let me know if this helps

  17. DR

    February 17, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Grafsata,

    The bands are no worse than any other method of resistance training for injuries – Have a sports medicine doc have a look at it – Good luck with the injury and the website.

  18. DR

    March 4, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Any time Jorg – We all have Dr. Tabata to thank for the research anyway

    Doug

  19. DR

    April 20, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Not exactly…I took a little artistic license.

    The guy on the right is an Olympic weightlifter. Pretty good motivational picture though…He is stuck to my fridge – keeps me eating healthy

  20. DR

    May 29, 2009 at 6:27 am

    Thanks Bill

  21. DR

    August 20, 2009 at 7:34 am

    Hey George,

    I would love to hear how the Tabata workouts work for you. Write back and comment anytime

  22. Jim

    September 12, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Hi Drobb
    i was greatly impressed at the transformation of ryan reynolds in blade trinity and would be very grateful if you could email me his Deadpool workout please and even the blade trinity one if you have it. I saw the lens on squidoo and couldnt figure out how to contact you
    Thanking you in advance
    Jim

  23. DR

    September 14, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    Good times?

    You sir, are a sick SOB

    Congratulations

  24. DR

    September 14, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Jim,

    Tomorrow’s post will have a new and improved version of the Ryan’s Deadpool workout.

    I have been beta testing it on a few (formerly scrawny) clients and it has worked better that I even imagined.

    Muscle mass increased really well
    Strength went up
    Power went up
    and all of the clients went from having skinny-fat abs to having hard, muscular abs

    Personally, I had just finished a strong man phase so I just used the getting ripped portion of the workout. It worked better than any other program I have used in my 23 years of working out.

    No B.S.

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