Last week my husband and I headed on a much-anticipated trip to Cancun Mexico. After extensive research, (picture back-to-back laptops, bottle of wine between, and everyone represented from Travelocity to Kayak) we committed to Excellence Playa Mujeres, a large, adult only (cause reallyâŠwho wants pee in the pool) all-inclusive.
Four-Minute Tabata Workout Ahead!
But first a distracting photo of yummy food from our Excellence Playa Mujeres hotel. Seriously….from the buffet!!
I always check reviews on the gym at the hotel where I plan to stay. The reviews were glowing so I was stoked on my first morning (after several wrong lefts and rights) to finally find a large, well-equipped, new best friend for the week.
Hello awesome gym.
My first workout was a quick turn on the elliptical, some TRX and some dumbbells for good measure. On my way out this massive Smile introduced himself as âSergio,â the trainer. He suggested I come to his class and I said, âdonât do classes.â His smile only flickered for an instant before he said, âCome to my boxing class then.â (bigger smile) âDonât do classes, Sergio.â
But the next morning I observed his âclassâ from my perch on the elliptical. It was a kick-butt-boot-camp-cross-fitty kind of thing that had tourists lying in a pool of their tequila-toxified sweat in a matter of minutes.
I was intrigued.
I approached Sergio and let him know I was a health and fitness writer, and I wondered if he would be willing to do a workout video with me that Friday. He agreed.
I was afraid.
Side note: (Love side notes) On one of the other days at the gym he said, âIf you want to interview someone you should interview that girl.â (He pointed to a tall zero-body-fat woman throwing a medicine ball abusively against a wall like it had done something very wrong.)
âWho is she?â I enquired. âShe is a two-time Olympian.â The Smile replied.
Before he had the â..ianâ out of his mouth, I was her shadow. She was lovely and gracious about being interrupted. But even better than her lovely disposition was she was a two-time Olympian (said that but bears mentioning again) from, not only CANADA, (hello) but VANCOUVER (double hello).
She was none other than Liz Neil (Gleadle) the Olympic Javlinest. Want to read about her?
I digress – back to The Smile and his kettle bells.
Friday morning came around, and The Smile and I decided to demonstrate how easy a Tabata Workout is when you travel because you can use little to no equipment and it doesnât cut into prime tanning time due to its brevity!
By the way, if you are wondering what the heck a Tabata is, check out this link (And it is also explained in the video below.)
In case you want to do this workout here is the rundown of the eight exercises I did. See demonstrations of each exercise in the video.
JUMPING JACKS
CURTSY SQUATS
BUTT TOUCH SQUATS WITH JUMP TO STEP
SUMO SQUATS WITH WEIGHT
JUMP LUNGES
ARM RAISES WITH RESISTANCE
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
SPIDERMANS
The point is, Poodles if you are looking for a quick, but effective, workout to do on vacation, in the office, or at home, while the kids are napping, two to three cycles through this engaging circuit is your answer. I hope you enjoy!
Adios!
Me and Pookie. The matchy-matchy is by accident…I swear!!
Looking to get started with a workout. Try this workout for one cycle through, three times a week. Go slowly and controlled at first and make sure to watch your form in a mirror. When you feel comfortable, try to increase the intensity by increasing the repetitions, height, or general level of difficulty. Let me know how it goes!
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61 Responses
Thanks for sharing! I’ve just started looking into tabata workouts, and this is a great resource
Lots of other great ones on my site too, Esther! đ
I’ve never heard of this workout! It definitely sounds like a good one – and one that can be done pretty quickly! Yay!
Tabata is great for the fitness enthusiast with no time. Check more out on the WELLFITandFED site. đ
I love a good Tabata workout! This is a great one. Thanks for sharing!
Me too, Tram. They are the best bang for your buck by far!
Four minute workout?!?! That’s awesome! Totally adding this to my routine.
Wait till you try it!
This is great! I’m always looking for quick work out ideas! Keep them coming! đ
Thanks, Melanie. Tune in on Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the tips! I think this is especially helpful as we head into the busy holiday season — anyone can find four minutes to squeeze in a workout!
That is so true!! Thanks for stopping by, Candice.
Great post! I got to travel to Cancun with you and I learned about Tabata. I might just give it a try although I was exhausted just watching you do it!
You could totally do this Allison. Seriously!
This is awesome! I’m trying to get back into working out đ
This is a good way to do it because you can’t use the excuse of time! đ
I love tabata workouts. Fast pace and effective. My PT clients do do. After they’re done. Ha!
I know, right Jill? They are never your favorite in the middle of them!
Thank you so much for this workout! I’m all about quick and effective. I’ll add this into my rotation.
It has been a fun one to do when you can’t think of what to do! Quick and easy peasy.
4 minutes oh I have to give it a try that’s as long I would have before my toddler is calling for me! There just might be hope for me after all! Thanks for sharing.
Ellie, You can totally do it. I know you can!
What a neat experience, especially meeting an Olympian in a niche sport. Will be trying this without quickie for sure!
THanks, Shane! She was really cool and inspiring.
I have never heard of Tabata. Sounds like a great workout and 4 minutes sounds great.
It is a great start. You can repeat the circuit if you like but you also can just use it as a quick workout when pressed for time.
TabaWhata? O.k. Thank you cause really I had zero idea what this was until just now!! I love those ‘you learn something new every day’ moments!
You are likely to hear more and more about it, Kim. Efficiency and effectiveness are high and so it really is super helpful to have a few of these on hand.
This work out looks fun! I have never heard of Tabata but I am always looking for new ways to stay fit.
Me too, Pamela. Got to keep the body always guessing.
I almost never think of working out while on vacation. But I will def consider it with this short workout technique
Then you don’t lose any ground, ChellBee. We all work hard to stay in shape. No need to throw it out the window on vacation.
I never knew there was such as thing as Tabbata. The video was definitely informative and I love the fact that you and your partner were matching fashion wise – great minds think alike!
Haha. Not planned but convenient. He should have had pink shoes on!
This is such a great workout, thank you for sharing. I feel like I only ever have 30 minutes max to work out so this is realistic for me to try to put in to practice. Thanks for sharing!
You could repeat it a couple times ad still get out in under thirty! đ
I tried Tabata a couple of times and they were one of my best workouts. It will help you sweating
Yes. It. Does. You definitely get a great sweat on with these workouts!
I love exercising for some many reasons. I love the results and how it makes me feel afterwards. It really should be a way of life for everyone. It doesn’t need to be strenuous just get moving in some way or the other. 4 minutes is a great introduction.
No excuses if it is just four minutes right, Rose? Thanks for your comment. xo
That was so kind of Sergio to film with you and he seems so nice! This workout sounds great and like it will absolutely kick my butt!
PS – I love the “tequila-toxified sweat” bit!
Ha ha! Thank you. Sergio was a doll!
I need to do this! I have 4 minutes!
And that food does look amazing.
I know, ridiculous, right! The food was soooo good. SO those four minutes came in handy to balance out my platefuls. :-0
How fun and so cool that you met a two time Olympian! I bet you weren’t expecting that lol! That buffet plate looks so yummy!
I know. So delicious and yes she was so nice. I need to send this to her to let her know the impact she left!
Never have heard of this but I will def be trying this after I have this baby in March! I know I can squeeze in four minutes!
Yes! That will be great, Breyona. But remember baby is in a solid package. You can do some exercise right now! xo
I’ve heard so many great things about this kind of workout, but I didn’t know it can be done in 4 minutes! I love it already!
Super handy, Sassy. So great for on the go or in a hotel room!
A four minute workout would be perfect for me! I have four children, so I’m always pressed for time. đ
It is so nice to have something quick to do!
Now that sounds like a butt-kicking workout! I may need to give this a try.
It is pretty fun, Shelby! I hope you enjoy. Let me know how you like it. đ
I seriously need to excercise more to fit into my dresses đ This one I haven’t heard of but sounds like it would get me back into my clothes!
This is a nice quick routine you can fit in anytime, anywhere.
I’ve not heard of Tabata but Crossfit is all the rage in my country now. A lot of Crossfit gyms are popping up here. Wonder what the differences are… I know both are similar in that they’re high-intensity.
Glad to learn a new thing today!
Tabata is referencing the time intervals and intensity. Cross fit is about the types of exercises and the intensity. Tabata is VERY specific regarding the time intervals. Always 20 seconds on ten seconds of for eight cycles.
I love when a workout is effective and intense but fast!!
La Belle SireneÂ
Me too! Nice to use our time super efficiently, right?
I love how effective and time-efficient tabata workouts are! Plus you can do them anywhere. Pinning this one đ