Sample Class: Deep-Water Tabata
Tabata training is a popular high-intensity interval training format consisting of 20 seconds of all-out, intense work followed by 10 seconds of passive recovery, totaling 4 minutes of very strenuous exercise. HIIT protocols such as Tabata are effective and promising for time-crunched exercisers whose goals are weight loss and performance enhancement. Deep-water exercise is a great nonimpact fitness experience that includes full-body movements. Combine the two and you have a powerful HIIT workout that features all the intensity without the impact and joint stress.
Deep-Water Tabata Details
Goal/Emphasis: to be inspired by Tabata training and apply it in a deep-water environment
Total Time: 30 minutes
Equipment Needed: water fitness belts
Music: Use a pre formatted Tabata playlist or a stopwatch or lap timer.
Additional Notes: Include the warm-up to raise body temperature and rehearse the movements. Keep the exercises simple, as cuing time is limited. You may increase intensity with speed; however, stability is important, so make sure participants know how to execute the moves. Also, ensure attendees are swimmers, as the deep-water belt is not a life-saving device.
Warm-Up (4 minutes)
The exercise selection for this workout includes simple athletic movements. Participants should move more slowly in the warm-up—to help prepare the body, but also to get used to the interval timing. Additional notes:
- There is more variety in the warm-up than in the work phase, where rounds are repeated within each Tabata in order to reduce confusion without diluting intensity.
- It is important to include modifications and to select exercises from all three planes of motion (sagittal, frontal and transverse).
- Participants must be properly warmed up before you increase intensity and range of motion.
- The water lends itself to quick recovery and offers a fast cooling effect, so the 10-second recovery period should be active instead of passive. To recover, therefore, regress the 20-second burst or do an exercise that occurs in the same or a complementary plane of motion.
Use Tabata timing to perform the following:
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: running in place
- 10 seconds: jogging
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: front kicks
- 10 seconds: cross-country skiing
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: jumping jacks
- 10 seconds: alternating side kicks
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: twists
- 10 seconds: jogging in place with alternating front punches
Work Phase (20 minutes)
Use the same timing as above, with similar exercises. Select movements that are easily reproducible, are simple to perform, involve the whole body and create an immediate feeling of intensity. “Travel” movements to increase intensity. Do the 4-minute sequences five times for a 20-minute workout. Take no more than 10 seconds to rest between rounds.
Tabata 1
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: running
- 10 seconds: jogging (add traveling)
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: single-leg front kicks, right (R) leg only
- 10 seconds: alternating short-lever front kicks (from knee joint)
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: running
- 10 seconds: jogging (add traveling)
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: front-leg kicks, left (L) leg only
- 10 seconds: alternating short-lever front kicks (from knee joint)
Tabata 2
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: cross-country skiing (traveling)
- 10 seconds: jumping jacks in place
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: star jacks
- 10 seconds: jogging with travel
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: cross-country skiing (traveling)
- 10 seconds: jumping jacks in place
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: star jacks
- 10 seconds: jogging with travel
Tabata 3
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: side-to-side shoot-throughs
- 10 seconds: running in place
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: vertical flutter kicks
- 10 seconds: cross-country skiing
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: side-to-side shoot-throughs
- 10 seconds: running in place
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: vertical flutter kicks
- 10 seconds: cross-country skiing
Tabata 4
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: twists with R foot touching inside of L knee
- 10 seconds: running in place
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: combination jumping jacks with cross-country skiing
- 10 seconds: running with travel
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: twists with L foot touching inside of R knee
- 10 seconds: running in place
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: combination jumping jacks with cross-country skiing
- 10 seconds: running with travel
Tabata 5
Rounds 1 and 2
- 20 seconds: front-to-back shoot-throughs
- 10 seconds: alternating back kicks
Rounds 3 and 4
- 20 seconds: knees to chest
- 10 seconds: opposite elbow to knee
Rounds 5 and 6
- 20 seconds: front-to-back shoot-throughs
- 10 seconds: alternating back kicks
Rounds 7 and 8
- 20 seconds: knees to chest
- 10 seconds: opposite elbow to knee
Stretch/Cool-Down (4 minutes)
Slow down the pace and give participants time to regroup. Have them use the side of the pool to stabilize their bodies, and cue them to hold each of the following stretches 10–15 seconds:
- Bow stretch: Reach down with R hand and hold top of R foot. Flex knee, and stretch quadriceps and hip flexor. Repeat L.
- Figure four: Cross one leg over top of thigh and sit into stretch. Switch sides.
Also include stretches for upper body: biceps, triceps, pectorals, deltoids, etc.