Good morning,
I wanted to take a moment and comment on the article in which you reviewed the
latest workout trends.
In your evaluation of Tabata, you suggested that it might only be appropriate for
those already in shape. And as far as a TRUE Tabata interval, I do not disagree. A real bout of Tabata will leave even the most elite athlete cross-eyed and drooling on themselves! But everyone is calling everything Tabata these days, and I'm afraid the definition of Tabata has been diluted down to simply the 20:10 timing protocol. But given the assumption that our audience understands the differentiation between Tabata and Tabata-timing, let's talk about Tabata.
Tabata was initially researched for world class athletes. Olympic athletes. In an attempt to find the most efficient and effective timing to increase VO2max. So why do any of us "regular" athletes and fitness professionals have any business doing Tabata? Is it really just for elite athletes? Then why is it catching on with such momentum in the every day fitness realm?
So I have a question, before I respectfully disagree with your conclusion regarding Tabata and for whom it is appropriate... Are you familiar with the trademarked program Tabata Bootcamp?
Tabata Bootcamp was named the Most Impactful Program of 2013 by ECA.
Mindy Mylrea and Savvier Fitness have designed an amazing Tabata Bootcamp
program that EVERYONE can do. They have bridged the gap between Olympic athletes and the rest of the world. Tabata is all about intensity, yes? And intensity is a measure of perceived exertion. So if you ask someone to work at THEIR max
intensity, it bears no regard what physical condition they are already in. In Tabata Bootcamp we take the principles of true Tabata and adapt them to fit the varied fitness levels of our clientele.
Yes, my maximum effort and maximum intensity will likely vary from an average Joe off the street. But all I'm asking Joe to do is work at HIS own max intensity, and
only Joe can define what that feels like. But if Joe pushes his threshold of
comfort, his threshold is going to improve!
When they were designing the program Savvier very deliberately looked at how
they could translate the principles of true Tabata, training for World class
Olympic speed skaters, to the rest of us. The beautiful thing about this program
is that it is NOT just another program to get the fit fitter. It is specifically
designed to accommodate anyone wanting to improve their fitness level,
regardless where their starting baseline is.
I have witnessed Tabata Bootcamp's effectiveness in so many realms. Be it weight loss, improved cardiorespiratory capacity or strength and functional movement.
So all that being said, I encourage you, PLEASE! Familiarize yourself with the Tabata
Bootcamp program and reconsider your conclusions. I realize my debate is somewhat splitting hairs, but the Tabata Bootcamp program has done SO MUCH to help everyday people. People that aren't in shape, the people that need our help the most. I want to be sure the differentiation between Olympic Tabata and Tabata Bootcamp is clear, so that the world can appreciate what a great program Tabata Bootcamp is.
I would be more than happy to speak with you further if you are interested.
I thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
Andrea Cordes
Andrea Cordes
Tabata Bootcamp Master Trainer
ACE & AFAA certified GFI
Schwinn MPower spin coach
Twitter @F15eBAMA
Facebook.com/FitnessIsAnAttitude
