Tabata question

hballack

Hello,

I just started exercising on a stationary bike for 5 tabata intervals. My normal target heart rate range is 119-143. What heart rate should I be shooting for with Tabata?

Thanks for your advice!

Heather

SJ46

I wouldn't worry about a heart rate reading unless you have a medical condition that requires it. My understanding is that you go all out 100% (effort) for 20 seconds then slow down or completely rest for 10, repeat 7x for a total of 8. Tabata drills are hard but they are efficient.

ThickMcRunFast

A true Tabata interval is 170% your VO2max for 20 seconds, rest for 10. Repeat 8 times.

In other words, you heart rate should be really high. Like, over max high. You should feel like you're going to die at the end of four minutes.

DavPul

I concur with both of the smart women above me. Listen to them. And my thinking is that when I'm going all out for 20 secs, I really wouldn't have the ability to check my HRM.

scottb81

You can't use HR when doing short intervals because unless you have zero fitness it takes the heart time to ramp up to max. It won't get there in 20 sec.

CoachDreesTraining

A true tabata, on a stationary bike, you can easily get 190+

But your goal is max exertion, not a HR zone.

hballack

Thanks everyone!

I have been over my "regular" target heart rate, but I think I can go higher based on what everyone said.

I don't have any medical conditions, but I still want to keep an eye on how high it goes, and possibly try to keep getting it higher so I know that I am working hard enough. Luckily my chest strap links with the display on the bike at my gym so it is easy to check it.

I appreciate the advice since I really want to do this correctly to burn some fat! I just started shooting for 5 tabatas, two to three times a week last week. I put the resistance up on the bike a lot and I actually got some muscle soreness from it, but I still think to do it correctly I need to pedel faster.

Thanks again for the input!

Heather