Tabata Thursdays – Mountain Climbers

Climb Every Mountain

Tabata is an interval exercise named by Japanese researcher Izumi Tabata. He found that exercises done for about 25 min, in high intensity intervals of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest, improved endurance compared to an hour of regular cardio. Don’t worry, we’re not going to through you into a 25 minute Tabata workout… yet.

Higher fitness level in less time? Sign me up!

Each Tabata round is just 4 minutes. That’s 8 rounds of performing a high intensity exercise for 20 seconds followed by 10 seconds of rest. You can use this 4 minute workout as a quickie when you don’t have time for a full workout – or add it as a challenge to your regular strength training workout.

Every Thursday, we will engage in a different Tabata workout! This week is, you guessed it, Mountain Climbers! See the video for an example of how to do mountain climbers. Get into push up position with your hands directly underneath your shoulders and your legs extended. Engage your core – ‘fighter abs’! During the work phase for 20 seconds, alternate running your knees into your chest. Be sure to keep your hips right in line with your shoulders.

The best perk of Tabata?

Your body KEEPS burning fat hours after a workout!

You can download an Interval Timer app to your smart phone. It’s a Tabata timer tells you when to start and stop after 20 seconds.

The Tabata workout

Time: 4 minutes
Timer: 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest
Tabata Exercise: Mountain Climbers

Enjoy!