2025-12-15 – Weekly Personal Trainer News : True Tabata or just 20:10?

Last week, our community engaged in a lively exchange about the nuances of various training techniques. One recurring theme was the precision and effectiveness of popular workout routines, with many trainers sharing their personal experiences and insights. There was also a thoughtful discussion on how best to integrate mental health considerations into physical training regimens, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to fitness.


This Week’s Hot Topics

True Tabata or just 20:10
A detailed debate has emerged about whether the 20:10 method many trainers use truly reflects the original Tabata protocol. This is a crucial conversation for those aiming to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of high-intensity interval training.
Read more here


Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions and shared expertise. Keep up the great work, and let’s continue to support each other in our professional journeys.

For “true Tabata,” I only count a 20:10 bout if the 20s stay above about 170% FTP on the bike; if they slip, I switch on the fly to 20:10 at 120–140% and cap it at 6 rounds to keep quality and honor the client’s stress that day. That fits the OP’s push for “precision,” and a 60‑second mood check before warm-up has been a reliable go/no‑go for me; anyone else pairing RPE ≥8 with power or pace to greenlight the next round?

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