Tabata Strength Combo Workout

Hi friends! How’s the morning treating ya? Yesterday ended up being a great day. I got the girls to school on time – it’s always a bit of a rat race – took care of work stuff, and headed to a little event at the Pilot’s work. They had street tacos for dinner and they were surprisingly awesome. (I hadn’t found a taco here I love, but the search has ended. High fives all around.) P is officially a ballet drop-out (she doesn’t want to go anymore, so I’m not going to force her), and it’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 Pilot’s work, we came home and watched The Bachelor (omggggg) and I put together this little workout for youuuu. It’s like a little gift! Not the type that you can put in a box, but if you use it correctly, you’ll get lots of new sore muscles. 😉

strength and tabata workout

This one combines two of my workout faves: strengths and Tabata training! If you’re new to Tabata intervals, you’re in for a treat. Here’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 participant’s heart rates to increase quickly and to a high level. Obviously, you should scale it according to how you’re feeling and your own personal workout level, but keep in mind that it’s supposed to feel challenging. I see a lot of “Tabata” workouts floating around the Pinterest machine that are not true Tabatas. Biceps curls or weighted lunges for 20 seconds won’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 wouldn’t do more than 4 total Tabata sets within 1 day. (If you’re doing it correctly, you won’t want to! You’ll be like, “MAKE IT END.”)

-For this workout, you’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.

Here’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). That’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 you’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 I’m wearing pretty much the same outfit I wore in the last workout I posted. #outfitrepeater #capsuleworkoutwardrobe 😉 

Have a great day and I’ll see you soon!

xo

Gina

Outfit: Fabletics

Shoes: Nike c/o (on sale)

Photos: Lindsay Colson

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360 Comments

  1. Amy on February 27, 2018 at 1:57 pm

    I’m excited to try this 🙂

  2. Alaina on February 27, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Looks fun and challenging! I would love to try this

  3. Meghan on February 27, 2018 at 1:59 pm

    Doing this workout this week 🙂

  4. Alexandra on February 27, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    Love Tabata workouts! But it’s amazing how long 4 mins can seem

    • Alexandra on February 27, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      🙂

  5. Jade on February 27, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    Looks like a great workout. Excited to try it! 🙂

  6. Michelle on February 27, 2018 at 2:20 pm

    🙂 Nice! maybe I will try this tonight!

  7. Rachel on February 27, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    I’ll have to add this workout to my rotation 🙂

  8. Lisa R. on February 27, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Looks like this will hurt so good 🙂 Can’t wait to try it!

  9. Aaron Mabry on February 27, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    Can’t wait to try this after I’m done half marathon training! 🙂

  10. Tiffany on February 27, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    Interval training is my fave! 🙂 It was raining last night so I ended up doing some HIIT instead of walking outside. 🙂

  11. Jodie on February 27, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Definitely trying this.:) short fast and a great sweat.:)

  12. Leah H. on February 27, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    This workout looks awesome and I cannot wait to try it!:)

  13. Audie on February 27, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    A tabata without burpees??? I’M HERE FOR IT!!!!

  14. Audie on February 27, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    A tabata without burpees??? I AM HERE FOR IT!! 🙂

  15. Megan on February 27, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    Getting the kids to school on time…..ugghhhh 🙂

  16. Sarah on February 27, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    Definitely going to try this workout! And coming from tucson I get how important it is to find good tacos! So glad you found some! 🙂

  17. Sara S on February 27, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    This looks great! I’m going to save it for when this stomach thing is done making its rounds in our house though 🙂

  18. Lauren on February 27, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    I always enjoy your full body workouts!

  19. Jessie on February 27, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    This looks like a killer workout! Thank you! Also I tried your new baked oatmeal and I really like it

    • Jessie on February 27, 2018 at 3:27 pm
    • Jessie on February 27, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      🙂

  20. Jessica on February 27, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    Thanks for all you do 🙂

  21. Michelle on February 27, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    Love this workout 🙂

  22. Jessica on February 27, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    Looks fun! 🙂

  23. Lynn on February 27, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    Thanks! Also, sharing a 🙂

  24. Emily on February 27, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    Definitely want to try this!

    🙂

  25. Felicia on February 27, 2018 at 4:02 pm

    Can’t wait to try the workout – looks like a great sweat 🙂

  26. Cara on February 27, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    Looks like a good workout to try

  27. Cara on February 27, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    Whoops. MIne didn’t post the rest of my comment. Looks like a great workout to try. Thanks for posting this today:)

  28. Amy on February 27, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    This looks like a great workout! 🙂

  29. Christina M on February 27, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    always love a new workout 🙂

  30. Christina S. on February 27, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    I’ve been dying to try these products! :)??

  31. Liz on February 27, 2018 at 4:36 pm

    Can’t wait to try this one 🙂

  32. Kim on February 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    This one looks like a burner! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  33. Kate on February 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm
    • Kate on February 27, 2018 at 4:41 pm

      Ahh! I don’t know why my comment won’t show up! 🙂

  34. Michelle Ash on February 27, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    I love a good Tabata workout for a quick sweat! 🙂

  35. Anne on February 27, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Awesome workout— thank you! 🙂

  36. Lindsay on February 27, 2018 at 4:46 pm

    Love when you post a workout!! Can’t wait to try it!! 🙂

  37. Leah on February 27, 2018 at 4:51 pm

    Oh fun! I’m going to try this today. I love your tabata workouts on you tube. Quick and effient! 🙂

  38. Kristi Edgington on February 27, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    After seeing many post, would love to try it! 🙂

  39. Jen on February 27, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    This is a great workout to mixup my routine! Love Tabata!

    • Jen on February 27, 2018 at 4:59 pm
  40. Dani on February 27, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    Ooh! I have a love/hate relationship with tabata workouts- I hate them in the moment, but love the feeling of tackling such a hard workout when I’m done! 🙂

  41. Jenn on February 27, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    I loveee tabata! Excited to try this one! 🙂

  42. Claire on February 27, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    Can’t wait to try this after my baby arrives 🙂

  43. Ryane on February 27, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    Love the top, repeat or not! 🙂

  44. sarah o on February 27, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    cant wait to give this one a shot! 🙂

  45. Ashleigh on February 27, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    Was looking for a quick workout to do tonight – perfect timing! 🙂

  46. Melissa on February 27, 2018 at 5:32 pm
  47. Stephanie on February 27, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Can’t waiiiiit for the Bachelor finale, looks like sooo much drama will be happening 🙂

  48. Tiffany on February 27, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Can’t wait to try this one! 🙂

  49. Tycee on February 27, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    This workout looks so hard–in the very best way! Excited to try it! Totally random but your porch is beautiful! 🙂

  50. Jodi on February 27, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    Just started adding in tabatas again this week. Can’t wait wait to try this one! 🙂

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