With the craze in small group training taking our industry by storm, we felt it was important to garner information on certain aspects that are being used and implemented, and the outcomes. We recently interviewed Audra Lianos, the owner of Core Fitness Studio in New York, concerning Tabata style training elements and how they benefit clients.
CS: Why is Tabata training crucial in client training?
AL: Tabata has the ability to target and improve specific aspects of a client’s fitness level. Tabata training has multi-dimensional benefits to individuals at all fitness levels. Most exercises allow for variations of progressions or regressions, depending on a client’s previous fitness experience.
It is crucial to client training because it is not only physically challenging, but mentally challenging as well. The short four-minute bursts give clients short-term goals, motivating them to believe in themselves and “give it their all” for those four minutes. When they see that they are able to get through the first round, they are challenged to get through the next. We generally do eight rounds per class, plus a warm-up, a two-minute finisher and cool down.
Clients are motivated, not only by their trainer, but also by watching each other and supporting each other. Clients are also provided with nutrition advice — healthy, easy-to-put-together recipes, 24/7 online trainer support and access to six-minute workouts on days off. Assessments are conducted before and after an eight-week time period, providing clients with measurable data of their dramatic results.
Tabata is results-driven training in a small group setting, where you can burn a tremendous amount of calories in a short amount of time. This makes Tabata training crucial, and also attractive to our client’s lifestyles. They don’t have a lot of free time and want to burn as many calories as they can in a short amount of time. The structure of Tabata training makes this possible. Tabata dramatically increases a client’s overall fitness level. If they train hard enough and eat clean, they will be in the best shape of their life!
CS: How do you introduce new clients to Tabata?
AL: We introduce Tabata to clients by educating them about the program and its benefits. We find that when clients are well informed, it takes some of the intimidation away, leaving them more apt to make the commitment.
We strive to build strong relationships with clients and to make them feel at ease.
We also hold “open houses” in the studio, where we allow potential clients to try a complimentary Tabata class and receive information about the program.
We do our best to let the community know that we are dedicated to working with them, to get them the results they are looking for. Once they see that the class can be altered to their specific needs, that their workout can be something they look forward to and fit into their day, they are hooked.
CS: What makes Tabata so unique?
AL: Tabata follows a unique protocol of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), where you perform two alternating exercises, to avoid fatigue too quickly, in eight rounds of twenty intense seconds, followed by a ten-second rest. Intense, but short intervals create the desire to push through and accomplish goals you never thought possible.
CS: How do you best implement Tabata into other training routines?
AL: Tabata can be easily implemented into Spinning® and TRX® classes, and even personal training sessions. You can follow the 20-on, 10-off interval, or change it up and vary the intervals. Implementing Tabata into multiple fitness regimens keeps clients interested, motivated and consistently challenged.
As told to Tyler Montgomery
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
