The Exercise That’s All The Rage
It seems that 4 minute exercises are all the rage these days. But in actuality have been around since 1996. That’s when research scientist Tabata, for who the Tabata method is named after, discovered that by doing eight sets of high intensity exercise for twenty second durations with ten second rest intervals would put you in both aerobic and anaerobic states at the same time.
Now every fitness guru promotes some variation of it. To be honest it does fit the bill for the majority of people interested in either staying fit or losing weight. Specially in today’s hectic pace everyone keeps. This bill of sell targets most every-one’s needs, desires and wants.
- Time: One of the chief attributes, can be done in four minutes.
- Effectiveness: Done right this will increase your metabolic rate and get you in shape.
- Cost: You can do this in your own home with the equipment god gave you.
- Variety: Although one should focus on whole body exercises there are plenty of combination’s that work
However due to the intense depletion by the end of the four minutes you won’t be able to do this everyday or even five days a week. Chances are even if you do the recommended maximum times a week, three, you probably are not going to look forward to doing this too often. And that’s the one draw back. When done right and at the end of four minute you are huffing and puffing like a chain smoker finishing a marathon race. In addition to that you’ll likely feel like heaving your guts out and wish you could.
I can attest to all this and it’s effectiveness. Even though it’s rough on you and your pride, the four minute exercise is a great one to have in your arsenal and one of my favorites. That being said you’re not going to build a lot of muscle with this exercise regimen. Not that everyone needs or wants to be a bodybuilder. But increasing some muscle mass will definitely hike your metabolism and make you look healthier. Even with the use of weights and going as heavy as you can, provided you can complete the eight sets within four minutes, you’re not going to increase muscle mass or strength. It’s just that to do that you need to lift heavy to your max in eight reps to three or four reps, even one maxed out rep to gain muscle mass. And to do this you need a minimum of sixty seconds rest between sets.
That being said every one should incorporate this into their exercise plan. Obviously a disclaimer is needed here, if you have heart or lung problems, or any health issues consult your physician first and make sure they approve it.
James Bolduc
MrPowerFitness