Those familiar with my training style know that I am a big supporter of interval training for conditioning and fat loss.
Many of my conditioning workouts include a timing element, where you perform a certain exercise for a specified time period. For example, this article includes a Tabata interval example using the sledgehammer.
For those looking for a personal timer, you may be interested in the GYMBOSS timer. The GYMBOSS is ideal for Tabata interval timing (as well as any other interval duration).
If you are interested in timing rounds (ex. 2 or 3 minutes), you may find the Everlast timer useful.
If you workout by your computer and prefer an online option, check out this link.
Another option is to create a CD that plays music for specific time periods (ex. 2, 3, or 5 minute rounds). Ringside sells CD’s that are set to 2 or 3 minute rounds.
If budget is not an issue, you may prefer a higher end model such as this timer.
As you can see, there are several options for interval timing.
Some watches have this function too – I’ve got a Timex Ironman Watch that lets you set interval length and rest periods. Very useful.
The other option I’ve used on an older watch was to use the repeating coutdown timer. For Tabatas I’d set it to 30 seconds, let it run and then sprint when it hit 20. It beeps at zero which is when you stop and have 10 seconds rest while it counts from 30 to 20 again….
Just last night I was wishing for an easier way to time my intervals. Thanks for the links Ross!
Thanks to the guys at crossfit I’ve got an even easier method.
Download this tone file..
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=95QFFBE7
and blend it with your favorite mp3 using wavepad (free software).
http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/
End result you’ve got a custom music tabata you can burn the CD and take with you anywhere, when the tones beep you know what to do.
I’ve been using it for weeks, made a CD with 10 different tabata songs on it, great stuff.
-hz
Good call Chris. The Timex Ironman watch is also very effective!
Ross
You could also make use of a new free utility (for Windows XP) with which you can create workout music play lists with the time and tempo you prefer. the site is at
http://www.bestworkoutmusic.com
The website one is just what I was looking for! Thanks!
the idea with the CD’s is great. This evening I’ll make some mine workout CD’s. Thanks guys!
As a UK trainee, some kit I fancied the look of is available from: http://www.training-timers.co.uk.
Hope that is useful to some people.
Gymboss kicks ass. A great little gadget for interval training.
And no, I’m not trying to get a gymboss t-shirt. 🙂
I’ve been using the Gymboss for several months now and it’s really lived up to my expectations. I would recommend it to anyone. (Now I don’t have to look at my damn watch when workin the heavy bag!)
Here is another excellent timer, just added to the blog on 7/7/08
http://rosstraining.com/blog/2008/07/07/free-interval-timer/
Hi nice to see you like tabata intervals aswell. I made another timer which it think has better interface. Check it out at
tabatatimer.blogspot.com