Over the past month and a half, my after work routine has completely changed.  I plan on blogging in more detail about a lot of these changes, but today I want to focus on my new workout routine.

So, you know how I was a gung ho AM workout person?  Well, that too has changed, and I am now an evening workout person.  Having a longer commute means having to wake up earlier (5:15) which means there is no time to workout.  And no, I am not crazy enough to get up at 4:30.  Never ever.

This would all be fine if I got home by 5:30, but I don’t.  It’s more like 6:30.  My commute home is about an hour.  Again, this would be fine if I could join a gym nearby, head there after work, and then make my way home.  But no.  There are no gyms nearby.  Trust me, I researched possible fitness options for hours on end before moving down here.  And this too would be fine if cardio equipment was available at the apartment gym around 6:45.  But this is not often the case.

It’s a good thing I don’t give up!  I knew I had to figure out a way to make my new routine work for me.  Enter tabata workouts. 

Tabata training is a very high intensity cardio workout that can be done in four minutes.  I know what you’re thinking…4 minutes?!  Well, yes and no.  ONE tabata “set” if you will is 4 minutes.  It looks a little something like this:

– 4 minutes total
– 20 seconds high intensity cardio
– 10 seconds rest
– perform 8 rounds total

Basically, choose an exercise (squats, pushups, jump rope, etc.), give it your all for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat until you’ve completed 8 rounds.  Then choose another exercise and do the same thing for another 4 minutes.  I read somewhere that ultimately you should try to build up to 24-28 minutes of tabata workouts. 

That’s one way to do tabata training.  And I’m sure it’s great and all, but I like variety.  I prefer my workouts to look a little something like this:

– 4 minutes total
– 20 seconds high intensity exercise A
– 10 seconds rest
– 20 seconds high intensity exercise B
– 10 seconds rest
– perform 8 rounds total alternating between exercise A and B

Since I’m no fitness expert, I relied on the wonders of the internet to help me find fun,highly varied tabata workouts.  Check out this Men’s Health Cardio Workout.  All you need is 24 minutes and a wide open space.  And if you’re like me and want options, check out this Fit Sugar Tabata Workout.  All you need is 24 minutes, light hand weights, and a wide open space.  Simplicity is the name of this sweat inducing game!

Again, if you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how the heck someone times a 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off workout.  Enter one of my favorite iPhone apps – the Gymboss 2 Interval Timer.

All you have to do is enter your rest and work times and the number of rounds you want to perform.  Easy peasy! 

If you’re looking for a short, super effective workout, I highly recommend you try out tabata training.  Of course, please consult with your doctor as necessary.  And if you don’t do that, take it easy the first couple of times. This way of training is no joke.  Ask my husband.  I made him workout with me yesterday, and when the 24 minutes were over, he wouldn’t even talk to me.

Have you ever tried tabata training?  If so, PLEASE share any of the workouts you love.