Do the Tabata
By Meg Rivera
IN AN attempt to try and stick to at least one New Year’s resolution, I’ve been trying to go to the gym more often. Where I go, they use a form of high intensity interval training. They give you short workouts, but ones that are extreme and very high intensity. One of these workouts, is called the Tabata.
Developed by Japanese physician Dr. Izumi Tabata, the concept is pretty simple. You do a movement (like jump rope) without stopping for 20 seconds, and then stop and rest for ten. Repeat the cycle eight times, and that’s the workout done. This is supposed to jump start your metabolism and heart rate and keep you burning fat for hours after.
I’m not great at Tabata-style anything. It takes a lot of focus to execute good form correctly in so little time. Plus, it’s always tempting to rest for longer than you are allowed. These three apps take the brainwork out of keeping track of time, and are great for helping you maximise the time you spend doing the workout. Download these today and get yourselves moving towards a healthier you!
App name: Interval Timer – Timing for HIIT Training and Workouts
App developer: Deltaworks
Available on: iOs
Easy to use: This is very customizable, and was originally developed for runners. You can change the intervals, as well as add or reduce cycles. It may get confusing for someone who is a little bit technologically challenged.
Overall comment: For the more experienced athlete, this app lets you log all the workouts you’ve done for a week. It also lets you adjust how long you should rest for, if you need to scale the workout down a little bit. Again, this could get confusing but if you stick to its basic functions you should be all right. Three clicks out of five.
App name: Quick 4 Minute Workout – Tabata
App name: Tiny Hearts Limited
Available on: Google Play, iOs
Easy to use: This app must have been designed with the rookie athlete in mind. First off, it explains to you what a Tabata workout is. After that, they give you a menu of movements that you can choose to do a workout with. Hit play and go!
Overall comment: I appreciate the HD videos in the app that show you how to do each movement so you do it correctly. There are speech options as well, if you don’t want to be staring at your device. There is a feature that allows you to track your weight progress too, so this is an all-in-one app that gets you started. It might be a little bit too rigid for the seasoned athlete, but great for newbies. Four clicks out of five.
App name: Workout HIIT
App developer: Igordcard
Available on: Google Play
Easy to use: Of all three apps, this one is the simplest to use. All you have to do is tap the green button and it keeps track for you. The screen also indicates how many rounds you have completed, and how far you have left to go.
Overall comment: The thing I love about this app is how it reads the time and the round out to you. If you are doing burpees (sort of a harcore jumping jack) you certainly don’t want to be holding your device to check the time. I think this app could do more, but I think they believe in doing one thing well. And for what it does, it delivers exactly that. Three clicks out of five.
