Tabata Training

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

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Originally Posted by ryanman

The thing is though I can do 3 miles in a good time, but I absolutely die after that. I'm not sure I could even do 5 miles at all. I'm a sprinter by nature - its took me quite a while to get remotely good at distance running. Its odd really, I could never do a marathon I don't think yet I see the likes of Lorraine Kelly doing them no problem! Different horses for different courses I guess.

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I'm the same mate, I was always a good sprinter in school & really struggled initially when translating to longer distances. Now though I do 5 miles about 2-3 times a week. What I think you're probably doing, which is a problem I always had & still do sometimes which is running too fast initially. This causes you to gas out too quickly.

What I'd recommend is planning a route of about 4 miles, and if you feel tired slow to a walk, but by no means actually stop. Keep an attitude of perpetual motion. I'd also recommend making sure that you know how long the exact route you're doing is. Most of us tend to overestimate how far we're running, so if you drive check it on a milometer.

In regards to Tabata Training, I'd say it's an excellent conditioning tool but you really do need to be very fit. I keep myself pretty well conditioned, and having been off any fitness work for about two and a half weeks because of a mammoth flu, I picked it up today after a week of cardio work with 5 miles running. I made it to my 6th round of sprints before I had to stop because it was becoming too much.

Like YB, I wouldn't recommend it for plyometrics particularly, due to the way the body is, it will be difficult to do something like press-ups repeatedly in that way without reaching fail. It's not really built for a single set of plyo exercises. However, there are some things you can do with weights that work it quite well.

It also can work as an additional abs workout, but in my opinion there's better abs workouts that can be done. I'd suggest it as decent when following up a run or something.

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Thanks Jaz.
Totally agree RE: the running. I also think that my jogging/running style is more of a modified sprint. I can't do that 'plodding' thing that distance runners do. I have a high knee lift and stay on my toes which obviously wastes a lot of energy. But if I try to change this I find I waste just as much energy focusing on going slower, kind of putting effort into holding myself back.
As for the Tabata, would something like a shoulder press be a suitable exercise? Also does it matter if you do the same exercise each time you do it? ( I don't mind for each set but for each time. Like if I did shoulder press one week would it be approapriate to do that again the next time?) I would guess that maybe it doesn't as its not really about building bulky muscles. But perhaps I'm wrong?

A whole body move like clean and press, medicine ball slams or sledge hammer drills would be ideal... and pretty brutal. :p

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Originally Posted by ryanman

Thanks Jaz.
Totally agree RE: the running. I also think that my jogging/running style is more of a modified sprint. I can't do that 'plodding' thing that distance runners do. I have a high knee lift and stay on my toes which obviously wastes a lot of energy. But if I try to change this I find I waste just as much energy focusing on going slower, kind of putting effort into holding myself back.
As for the Tabata, would something like a shoulder press be a suitable exercise? Also does it matter if you do the same exercise each time you do it? ( I don't mind for each set but for each time. Like if I did shoulder press one week would it be approapriate to do that again the next time?) I would guess that maybe it doesn't as its not really about building bulky muscles. But perhaps I'm wrong?

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I wouldn't really recommend that because you're only working one part of your body. I'd agree with Adam that something like a clean & press or maybe alternate dumbell swings. Assuming you want to use weights, if you have a medicine ball, dumbbell thrusters are a good option.

If you want I'll PM you the routine I use to start getting myself back into shape. It's not as tough as tabata, but it's still a good workout for someone in decent shape & only takes about 10 minutes.

As for the running, that's probably more a mental thing. I definitely have the same thing that I don't run flat-footed, but the key I think is to know your route. Once you know exactly how long it is, you can actually start to make points where you know how to use your energy effectively. Admittedly this is a lot easier when not doing your roadwork in the city where it's hard to find a good clear route.

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

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Originally Posted by ryanman

Thanks Jaz.
Totally agree RE: the running. I also think that my jogging/running style is more of a modified sprint. I can't do that 'plodding' thing that distance runners do. I have a high knee lift and stay on my toes which obviously wastes a lot of energy. But if I try to change this I find I waste just as much energy focusing on going slower, kind of putting effort into holding myself back.
As for the Tabata, would something like a shoulder press be a suitable exercise? Also does it matter if you do the same exercise each time you do it? ( I don't mind for each set but for each time. Like if I did shoulder press one week would it be approapriate to do that again the next time?) I would guess that maybe it doesn't as its not really about building bulky muscles. But perhaps I'm wrong?

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I wouldn't really recommend that because you're only working one part of your body. I'd agree with Adam that something like a clean & press or maybe alternate dumbell swings. Assuming you want to use weights, if you have a medicine ball, dumbbell thrusters are a good option.

If you want I'll PM you the routine I use to start getting myself back into shape. It's not as tough as tabata, but it's still a good workout for someone in decent shape & only takes about 10 minutes.

As for the running, that's probably more a mental thing. I definitely have the same thing that I don't run flat-footed, but the key I think is to know your route. Once you know exactly how long it is, you can actually start to make points where you know how to use your energy effectively. Admittedly this is a lot easier when not doing your roadwork in the city where it's hard to find a good clear route.

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Thanks Jaz.
I'd appreciate the PM mate, cheers.

I've got some good runs round my way. I usually run for time rather than distance but i'm starting to think thats not the way to go.

* Whats a dumbell thruster by the way? Don't think I'm familiar with that exercise or at least that name for it.

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Originally Posted by ryanman

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Originally Posted by JazMerkin

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Originally Posted by ryanman

Thanks Jaz.
Totally agree RE: the running. I also think that my jogging/running style is more of a modified sprint. I can't do that 'plodding' thing that distance runners do. I have a high knee lift and stay on my toes which obviously wastes a lot of energy. But if I try to change this I find I waste just as much energy focusing on going slower, kind of putting effort into holding myself back.
As for the Tabata, would something like a shoulder press be a suitable exercise? Also does it matter if you do the same exercise each time you do it? ( I don't mind for each set but for each time. Like if I did shoulder press one week would it be approapriate to do that again the next time?) I would guess that maybe it doesn't as its not really about building bulky muscles. But perhaps I'm wrong?

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I wouldn't really recommend that because you're only working one part of your body. I'd agree with Adam that something like a clean & press or maybe alternate dumbell swings. Assuming you want to use weights, if you have a medicine ball, dumbbell thrusters are a good option.

If you want I'll PM you the routine I use to start getting myself back into shape. It's not as tough as tabata, but it's still a good workout for someone in decent shape & only takes about 10 minutes.

As for the running, that's probably more a mental thing. I definitely have the same thing that I don't run flat-footed, but the key I think is to know your route. Once you know exactly how long it is, you can actually start to make points where you know how to use your energy effectively. Admittedly this is a lot easier when not doing your roadwork in the city where it's hard to find a good clear route.

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Thanks Jaz.
I'd appreciate the PM mate, cheers.

I've got some good runs round my way. I usually run for time rather than distance but i'm starting to think thats not the way to go.

* Whats a dumbell thruster by the way? Don't think I'm familiar with that exercise or at least that name for it.

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Alright mate, I'll shoot all over that over to you in a PM in a bit.

Had a go of this its crazy I new it would be hard but JESuS lol. Me and a friend done it with about 75% Sprints on the track he was like 20second sprinting and rest 7 times over Haha ok. 3rd round he couldnt go on lol. Great training method i feel. this is going to be included in my program 2 times a month :)

Anyone who has been on this board for a while knows I advocate this 100%... nothing will get you fitter, quicker, in such an efficient time than tabata's :)

Like YB said you have to be careful with running though, personally at my peak I did them 5 days a week, 3 sets with 5 mins break between each set. Although those days are long gone, should really get back into them! It could be a good idea to do 2-3 running a week and the other 2 on a cycling or rowing machine to reduce the impact.