I love spin class.  There is something about sitting in almost darkness, riding a bike with too much resistance and sweating like never before.

I do it at least three times a week…sometimes more.  I come out super gross and nasty.  For me and my asthma, it’s the only thing I feel like I can really do and not die.

But something new is making the rounds into spin classes, and I’m not sure I’m loving it.  Tabata.

There is something so calming about a quiet spin room.

Tabata training is the latest workout trend that’s sweeping gyms everywhere.

It originated from the exercise research of Dr. Izumi Tabata.  Dr. Tabata used a very specific method of interval training for his 1996 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. In the study, he had cyclists perform 20 seconds of all-out effort followed by 10 seconds of rest. The participants repeated seven to eight sets of the exertion-rest intervals, equaling just about 4 minutes of actual workout time. The results were so striking that this type of training was named after its creator, hence “Tabata” training.

Subjects who performed Tabata training five days a week for six weeks (a total of 120 minutes of exercise over the month and a half) improved both their aerobic and anaerobic endurance. with anaerobic fitness increasing by 28%.

So while the benefits sound good – I’m kind of dying.  It’s tough – and just when you think…oh hey, I got this…I can breathe….it starts all over again.

So I’ve done it twice this week and three times last week…and I’m not finding it enjoyable yet.