Tabata Training Method

Tabata Pro 

Ever heard of Tabata training?!?

I'm constantly learning new tips and fun facts about the fitness industry through my Personal Training course at the Australian Institute of Fitness. The latest and greatest training method I've learned about that I'm keen to share with my readers is Tabata!

Tabata is a form of high intensity interval training that was developed by Japanese scientists who were conducting studies on athletes.

They compared athletes that were doing moderate vs high intensity interval training. They found that even though the group of athletes doing high intensity training were actually training less often, they still achieved greater increases in BOTH their aerobic and anaerobic systems over the test period.

The basic outline of the Tabata training method explains that each Tabata session only needs to be 4 minutes long!!

Quicker results from short, speedy workouts. Sounds great right?! But do you think it sounds easy? Think again!

The 4 minute session will consist of:
* 20 seconds of intense training
* 10 seconds of rest
* Total of 8 sessions or rounds

Tabata App for iPhone

The general Tabata timing structure can be applied to any range of exercises. However, as always with fitness it's very important to develop a balanced program which contains push, pull and leg exercises, to ensure you work your body evenly.

Tabata training is short, efficient and can fit into almost any fitness program. Don't knock it until you've tried it (and trained in it!) because if you use decent weights and perform every 20 second set to your maxiumum potential you'll quickly realised it's a hectic workout!!!

Hope you enjoy your session as much as I did. Happy training!

http://tabatatraining.org

Education for a Firm Fitness Foundation

It's been a long time since you've seen a post from me, but fitness hasn't been far from my mind. Quite the contrary! At the start of 2012 my passion for fitness and my career path literally collided in a very exciting way. I began working at the Perth campus of the Australian Institute of Fitness.

My role as a Career Scout at the Institute involves a dynamic daily mix of business development, relationship management and building brand awareness. Interaction with local businesses and industry partners helps me further learn about the fitness world, and I'm loving becoming a part of it!

I'm the first to admit I'm a striver. I always want to do more, learn more, achieve more and be more involved in everything I do. Which is why I've already commenced my Personal Trainer / Master Trainer part time (evenings & weekend) course at the Australian Institute of Fitness. My experience of the comprehensive course so far has included both face-to-face and online learning; anatomy; physiology; communication skills; hands on experience in the gym; fitness assessments and teamwork - and that's just in the first few weeks!

Evidentially fitness something I'm interested in and passionate about. However just as importantly, completing the course at the Institute will really strengthen my understanding of the industry and empower me to do my current job to the best of my ability. At the end of the course myself and other Friends (classmates) will attain Certificate III and Certificate IV in Fitness. I'm learning new skills daily and, as the title of this post indicates, education really does create a firm foundation. I see this as a big step towards success!

The Australian Institute of Fitness is the first and largest training provider for the Australian fitness industry, and its training programs provide the most popular career pathways in the industry. To learn more about the Institute and the great range of qualifications on offer check out:
www.fitness.edu.au

Back to Bec for more PT

Although most of the time I believe that change is good, familiarity also has its advantages.

Having felt a little maxed out from the massively varied fitness options I've attempted over the past few weeks I decided to re-group with my close girlfriends and again visit their PT, Bec, who runs training sessions in East Vic Park. This was literally a last minute decision to join in and I was swiftly picked up en-route to training and switched outfits in the carpark. Was well worth the effort though.

Personal trainers are a great choice because they provide variety in the exercises they set out for you, but continuity in the fact that your general expectations of the session can be the same. The trainer gets to know you personally, then tailors your training program to suit your areas of strength... and weakness.

That's right, you heard me. Weakness. Don't be fooled into thinking that getting a personal trainer is a great way to only do the fun exercises that you really enjoy. Their role is to motivate, even push, you into challenging yourself and exceeding the limitations you may perceive are there.

It was great to see Bec again, to combine that familiar recognition element with a variety of new exercises. This time we held weights above our head and in front of us while running and side stepping plus did sit-ups, planks and squats.

Like I said, personal trainers do push you. In a good way ;)

Bec's Personal Training - Fun in the Sun!

Deciding to start hitting up any and every fitness option in Perth is one thing, but actually getting organised to find and attend them all is quite another...!

Once committing to my goal I started thinking through the resources most immediately available to me to make it happen. I figured that contacting my nearest and dearest friends would be a great way to start. My gorgeous girlfriends Amy and Bianca have become awesome fitness devotees in recent years, testing out everything from BoxFit to personal training! They were definitely my first point of call when taking on this endeavour. They invited me to join them at their Saturday morning personal training session with Bec in East Vic Park.

Bec lead us through an awesome hour commencing with a jog and encompassing a range of activities. We rotated through a circuit which included weights, boxing, ab, arm and leg work. The session she takes with my friends is just perfect for them. There is usually just four females plus instructor in attendance and the PT is beautifully tailored to suit their needs. One participant was recovering from an injury and Bec was extremely attentive, she modified the activity at each station for the girl's unique circumstance - exactly the level of care and expertise you hope for from a personal trainer. She also took the group through some great stretches at the end. Really worthwhile doing lots of stretching following a session like this because we used a variety of weights for different exercises.

A PERSONAL TRAINER is a fitness professional who develops a fitness program and assessment for their clients. They motivate by setting goals and providing feedback. PT's may also educate their clients on nutrition, general health and wellbeing.

Check below for more info on this session...

• DETAILS: Saturday morning, 9:30-10:30am. John McMillan park off Kent Street in East Vic Park.
• COST: $15.00 per individual
• TEACHER: Bec
• BRING: A decent-sized towel for exercises done lying on the grass. A hat and sunnies are a definite must, especially as we come into the hot summer months. Also recommend applying suncream before the session gets cracking or alternatively wearing a good sun-blocker shirt to cut out UV rays. Water bottle is obviously a must.
• BEST BITS: Being outside in the sunshine! Bec brought along all the equipment we needed from boxing gloves and pads to various weights, it was awesome to have all of that provided. Thanks for an awesome morning Bec!

Ginny's 'Finding Fitness' Rating:  ★ ★ ★