Tabata Rowing
What is Tabata Rowing?
The Tabata protocol was developed by Japanese researcher Izumi Tabata and consists of 8 rounds of 20 seconds maximal effort and 10 seconds rest (4 minutes total). Applied to the rowing machine, Tabata rowing is an extremely demanding anaerobic workout. The 2:1 work-to-rest ratio with minimal recovery means lactate accumulates rapidly, heart rate approaches maximum by round 4-5, and power output typically drops 20-30% from round 1 to round 8. Tabata rowing is popular in CrossFit and functional fitness for its time efficiency and metabolic conditioning effect. However, it is not a replacement for aerobic training — it develops anaerobic capacity and pain tolerance. Limit Tabata sessions to 1-2 per week due to the extreme metabolic stress.
How Watta Uses Tabata Rowing
Watta captures the Tabata interval summary from the PM5 screen, including individual 20-second round data. The Effort Score for a Tabata session reflects the high peak intensity through the Cardiac Load component, even though total duration is short.
Further Reading
- Concept2 Training Resources — Official training guides and workout plans from Concept2.
- Concept2 RowErg Specifications — Technical specifications and performance monitor details.
- World Rowing — The international governing body for the sport of rowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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