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. EatingSince83 on February 27, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    Love Tabata!! ?

  2. Britt on February 27, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    Tabata scare me but I’m gonna try this 🙂

  3. Megan on February 27, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    Just getting back into things after having my son. This one might be a while away for me!!

    • Megan on February 27, 2018 at 6:22 pm
    • Megan on February 27, 2018 at 6:23 pm

      🙂

  4. Sally on February 27, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    I usually do yoga, but I could be talked into this one on a weekend.

  5. Katie B on February 27, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    Awesome workout 🙂

  6. Julie on February 27, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    Bookmarking for post baby 🙂

  7. Becky on February 27, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    Love the tabata + strength training combo 🙂

  8. Anna P on February 27, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    I love tabata! Thanks for posting an easy to follow but challenging home work out

  9. the other Megan on February 27, 2018 at 7:14 pm

    🙂

    Looks like a fun workout!

  10. Heidi on February 27, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    I’m so out of shape I need to try this! Doesn’t seem too hard for my weak body haha 🙂

  11. Marissa on February 27, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    Just did this workout, three runs of the total body and two of the tabata. Sweaty and happy now. 🙂 😉

  12. Chloe on February 27, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    Can’t wait to try this workout!
    🙂

  13. Marisa on February 27, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    I’m on a Physique 57 quick right now, but I might have to try this for something different! 🙂

  14. Kirsten on February 27, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    🙂

  15. Carley on February 27, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    🙂

  16. Sara on February 27, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    I always feel accomplished when I get the girls to school on time 🙂

  17. Coleen on February 27, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Thanks for all of the at home workouts. I can combine watching The Bachelor with working out 🙂

  18. Kelly on February 27, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    I love tabata and think I could modify this with pregnancy 🙂 ??

  19. Jennifer on February 27, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    This work out looks ! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow! 🙂

  20. Amanda on February 27, 2018 at 8:13 pm

    Love this 🙂

  21. Laura on February 27, 2018 at 8:16 pm

    Can’t wait to try this! 🙂

  22. Tal on February 27, 2018 at 8:16 pm

    My masters degree makes me have to do HITT so perfect workout!

    🙂 🙂

  23. Moira on February 27, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    I will have to try this!! 🙂

  24. April on February 27, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    Can’t wait to try this

    • April on February 27, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      Can’t wait to try this 🙂

  25. Madison on February 27, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    Love Tabata workouts! Thanks for all the details

  26. Jenn on February 27, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    Need to try this 🙂

  27. Justine on February 27, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    Will definitely try this!

  28. Jess on February 27, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    Love! 🙂

  29. Cara Butler on February 27, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    Looks like a good tabata! 🙂

  30. Amanda on February 27, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Tabata tuesday!!

  31. Amanda on February 27, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    Tabata Tuesday! 🙂

  32. Hayley on February 27, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    Love 🙂

  33. Ashlee on February 27, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    Love a good Tabata 🙂

  34. Bethany on February 27, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    I really love all the workouts you’ve been posting lately! 🙂

  35. Kristin on February 27, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    This looks like a great workout-thanks for posting! 🙂

  36. Angela on February 27, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    Can’t wait to try the workout

  37. Lindsey on February 27, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    🙂

  38. Angela on February 27, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    Can’t wait to try the workout 🙂

  39. Brittany on February 27, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    Did this workout tonight and it was awesome!

  40. Amy on February 27, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    Looks like a killer! 🙂

  41. Maggie on February 27, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Love me some Tabata! 🙂

  42. Tara on February 27, 2018 at 9:33 pm

    Looks awesome! 🙂

  43. Ali C on February 27, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    🙂

  44. Chelsea on February 27, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    Looks like a great workout! 🙂

  45. Lauren on February 27, 2018 at 9:36 pm
  46. Susanne McLaughlin on February 27, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    Love x abs!

  47. Sarah B on February 27, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    Tabata Tuesday!

    • Sarah B on February 27, 2018 at 9:38 pm

      🙂

  48. Stephanie on February 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    Looks like a great workout!

    • Stephanie on February 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      Great workout 🙂

  49. Yen on February 27, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Love workouts that incorporate strength and cardio!! 🙂

  50. Ellen on February 27, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    I love tabata. So hard, but done so quick! 🙂

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