Tabata Strength Combo Workout

Hi friends! Howโ€™s the morning treating ya? Yesterday ended up being a great day. I got the girls to school on time – itโ€™s always a bit of a rat race – took care of work stuff, and headed to a little event at the Pilotโ€™s work. They had street tacos for dinner and they were surprisingly awesome. (I hadnโ€™t found a taco here I love, but the search has ended. High fives all around.) P is officially a ballet drop-out (she doesnโ€™t want to go anymore, so Iโ€™m not going to force her), and itโ€™s been nice having that free Monday afternoon block. It starts the week off on a more relaxing note!

After the little get-together at the Pilotโ€™s work, we came home and watched The Bachelor (omggggg) and I put together this little workout for youuuu. Itโ€™s like a little gift! Not the type that you can put in a box, but if you use it correctly, youโ€™ll get lots of new sore muscles. ๐Ÿ˜‰

strength and tabata workout

This one combines two of my workout faves: strengths and Tabata training! If youโ€™re new to Tabata intervals, youโ€™re in for a treat. Hereโ€™s a full post with all of the details!

Some things to keep in mind for Tabata intervals:

-The intervals are supposed to be HARD. When Tabata did the original study, he wanted the participantโ€™s heart rates to increase quickly and to a high level. Obviously, you should scale it according to how youโ€™re feeling and your own personal workout level, but keep in mind that itโ€™s supposed to feel challenging. I see a lot of โ€œTabataโ€ workouts floating around the Pinterest machine that are not true Tabatas. Biceps curls or weighted lunges for 20 seconds wonโ€™t get your heart rate up quickly. You want to choose challenging and often powerful movements, like sprints or plyometrics.

-Another critical component of Tabata training is the timing: 20 seconds off, 10 seconds of rest, 8 rounds = 4 minutes total. I wouldnโ€™t do more than 4 total Tabata sets within 1 day. (If youโ€™re doing it correctly, you wonโ€™t want to! Youโ€™ll be like, โ€œMAKE IT END.โ€)

-For this workout, youโ€™ll complete a strength circuit and then move into the Tabata interval (4 minutes). Rest for 1 minute before completing the circuit again. You can do the entire workout up to 3 times total. As always, check with a doctor before making any fitness changes and honor your body.

Hereโ€™s what the workout looks like:

A strength and cardio workout combining dumbbell exercises and sweaty Tabata intervals. fitnessista.com #tabata #strengthworkout #tabataworkout #tabataandstrength #totalbodyworkout

Form cues and tips:

Lunge upright row – Holding a pair of dumbbells, take a big step back to come into a lunge position. Watch your alignment and make sure your front knee is stacked over your front ankle, and your chest is lifted with a tight core. Step back to starting position, then complete an upright row, making sure your shoulders are the FIRST things to come up and the weights stop at mid-chest. That’s one rep. You can balance on one leg as you do your upright row and shoulder raise for an extra challenge. To make it more intense, lift heavier weights. If the compound exercise is too much, break it into pieces. 

Plie squat overhead press – Stand with a super wide stance, toes turned out, holding a pair of dumbbells. Keep your chest lifted and your weight in your heels as you sink down and endeavor to get your thighs parallel to the floor. Make sure your knees extend towards your toes, but not past them. As your rise, press the dumbbells overhead, then lower back down and repeat. 

Lunge curl – Holding a pair of dumbbells, take a big step back to come into a lunge position. Watch your alignment and make sure your front knee is stacked over your front ankle, and your chest is lifted with a tight core. Step back to starting position, then complete a biceps curl (squeeze your biceps and exhale as you curl). Thatโ€™s one rep. To make it more intense, lift heavier weights. If the compound exercise is too much, break it into pieces.  deadlift wide row – Hold a pair of dumbbells and tilt forward, bringing the weights just below the knees. Lift up from your elbows, bring them high and wide, engaging into your rear delts. Stop the elbows at shoulder height before carefully lowering back down. Exhale and rise with a flat back.

Alt arnold press – Hold a pair of dumbbells at your shoulders, palms facing in. Press one dumbbell overhead as your rotate your palm out, then return to start. Repeat on the other side.

Triceps dips – Place your hands behind you on a chair or bench, fingertips facing towards you, legs straight out in front of you, hips off the ground (you could also do this with your hands on the floor). Keep your elbows in and bend them straight back, then squeeze your triceps to return to start. Keep your chest lifted and shoulders down. Make it more challenging by placing a weight across your hips.  pushups – Start on your knees or toes, with hands wide and knuckles pressing into the floor. Keep your hips down and core engaged as you perform your pushup, exhaling on the way up.

x abs

X-abs – Lie on your back with your arms and legs out in an “X” shape and off the ground. Lift one arms and the opposite leg up, reaching towards your toes, lower back down and repeat on the other side. 

Plank run – Come into a plank position with hands stacked under your shoulders, neck long, and spine neutral. Keep your plank position as you bend one knee towards the floor. Quickly switch sides, maintaining your plank position. 

plank run

-For the Tabata intervals, feel free to substitute with any of your favorite plyometric exercises, or sprints on the spin bike, rowing machine, track, or treadmill. If youโ€™re a beginner or prefer low-impact, try 4 minutes of walking (or hill walking) instead. 

Please let me know if you give it a try!

This is where I realize Iโ€™m wearing pretty much the same outfit I wore in the last workout I posted. #outfitrepeater #capsuleworkoutwardrobe ๐Ÿ˜‰ 

Have a great day and Iโ€™ll see you soon!

xo

Gina

Outfit: Fabletics

Shoes: Nike c/o (on sale)

Photos: Lindsay Colson

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360 Comments

  1. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on February 27, 2018 at 8:27 am

    Is that your stunning front porch!? Ahhh, soo gorgeous!!

  2. Sandra on February 27, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Looks like it hurts so good ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Becca on February 27, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Tabata + Strength = <3 ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Heidi on February 27, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Now you have me wanting tacos! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Victoria on February 27, 2018 at 8:41 am

    I’m 12 weeks PP with my second baby, this will be a great workout to try!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Anne on February 27, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Bookmarking this for when I am cleared to workout again – injuries are the worst! Fingers crossed itโ€™s just another week! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Olivia K on February 27, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Love seeing your workout first things, definitely gives me the drive to go for it today! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Molly Petsch on February 27, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Canโ€™t wait to get back to intense workouts post-pregnancy! : )

  9. Laura on February 27, 2018 at 8:42 am

    I am doing this workout today! Thanks for sharing! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Emily Walker on February 27, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Looks like a doozy ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Kacie on February 27, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Yay this looks like a great naptime workout! ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Becky on February 27, 2018 at 8:46 am

    Definitely saving this for a future home workout. I love tabatas. ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Jennie on February 27, 2018 at 8:46 am

    I love Tabata! Perfect for my ADD brain ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. Charlotte on February 27, 2018 at 8:48 am

    This looks like a great workout!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Lexie on February 27, 2018 at 8:49 am

    I’ll have to try this ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Trisha Parry on February 27, 2018 at 8:49 am

    Canโ€™t wait to do this workout this week ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Jen Medina on February 27, 2018 at 8:51 am

    ๐Ÿ™‚ looks awesome

  18. Emily on February 27, 2018 at 8:51 am

    Mmm street tacos! ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. Brigette on February 27, 2018 at 8:53 am

    Just starting doing at home work outs and Iโ€™m definitely going to give this one a try! ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. Jessa on February 27, 2018 at 8:54 am

    Yassss! Totally screen shot this. Love all the combination exercises. Efficiency at its finest! ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Lisa on February 27, 2018 at 8:54 am

    Thanks for sharing! ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Jessica mason on February 27, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Canโ€™t wait go try this!

  23. Lacey on February 27, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Love tabata workouts! This looks like a great one. I have tons of workout clothes but tend to wear the same few favorite outfits over and over. Probably time to get rid of some things : )

  24. Mari on February 27, 2018 at 8:56 am

    The X-abs exercise looks tough but will fun to try out. Thatโ€™s nice youโ€™re not forcing your daughter to do activities she doesnโ€™t enjoy – it just opens up time for her to discover something she truly loves and enjoys : )

  25. Melissa on February 27, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Can’t wait to try ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. Amber P. on February 27, 2018 at 8:57 am

    I love Tabata style workouts

    • Amber P. on February 27, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Love this! ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. Christina Espada on February 27, 2018 at 8:58 am

    I’ve actually never tried Tabata. Maybe it’s time ๐Ÿ™‚

  28. Heather on February 27, 2018 at 8:59 am

    That workout looks great! I canโ€™t wait to give it a try! ๐Ÿ™‚

  29. Lori on February 27, 2018 at 8:59 am

    Love tabata plus strength workouts! ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. Rebekah B on February 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

    Looks like a good one ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. Laura on February 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

    Might give this a try today! ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Sara on February 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

    Love these quick workouts that can be done practically anywhere! Thank you for posting so many great ones!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. Angie on February 27, 2018 at 9:00 am

    Looks awesome ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. Kayla on February 27, 2018 at 9:01 am

    This looks like a good one! Saving it! Also, ๐Ÿ™‚

  35. Molly on February 27, 2018 at 9:02 am

    I never knew what Tabata meant! Love your workouts!

  36. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on February 27, 2018 at 9:02 am

    I incorporate tabatas in my spin classes. My participants love to hate them! LOL

  37. Sarah on February 27, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Bookmarking this for later ๐Ÿ™‚

  38. Claudie on February 27, 2018 at 9:03 am

    LOVEEED the workout thanks

  39. Kelly on February 27, 2018 at 9:04 am

    What a great workout! Canโ€™t wait to try

    • Kelly on February 27, 2018 at 9:04 am

      ๐Ÿ™‚

  40. Alanna on February 27, 2018 at 9:05 am

    Going to try this today! ๐Ÿ™‚

  41. Carly maxwell on February 27, 2018 at 9:06 am

    I am always looking for more workouts like this one – thank you! ?

  42. Jessica on February 27, 2018 at 9:07 am

    Thanks for the great tabata workout! ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Laura on February 27, 2018 at 9:08 am

    Thanks for the new workout ๐Ÿ™‚

  44. Bethany @ Dose of Discovery on February 27, 2018 at 9:11 am

    This workout looks awesome! I can’t wait to try it!

  45. Amalia on February 27, 2018 at 9:12 am

    Canโ€™t wait to try this today!!

  46. Milania Dela Cruz on February 27, 2018 at 9:14 am

    I love tabata workouts! Will def try this!!

  47. Alycia on February 27, 2018 at 9:15 am

    I canโ€™t wait to try this workout!

  48. Colleen on February 27, 2018 at 9:15 am

    Can’t wait to try this workout!

    • Colleen on February 27, 2018 at 9:16 am

      ๐Ÿ™‚

  49. Molly s on February 27, 2018 at 9:16 am

    ๐Ÿ™‚ not sure I would survive that

  50. Sandra M. on February 27, 2018 at 9:16 am

    I enjoy doing your workouts in the comfort of my home thank you for these workouts that you post! = )

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