Using the Gymboss Timer, myself and Bubby did 12×2 minute rounds of jump rope with 30 seconds in between. In between rounds of jump rope we did ab work, sit-ups, leg raises, rusties, twists, plank and bicycles. We followed this with 12×2 minute rounds of focus pad work alternating between gloves and pads. We then touch sparred for 4×2 minute rounds.

Originally posted 2010-11-29 22:16:45.

Tabata interval training developed by Japan’s fitness researcher Izumi Tabata, is a high intensity workout of eight full speed sprints for 20 seconds with 10 second rest periods. One interval takes 4 minutes. It has been tried, tested and found to be highly effective for raising endurance levels of sprinters and athletes that are already highly conditioned. It was observed that after a five day routine perfrmed for six weeks, athletes increased their aerobic capacity – the ability to consume oxygen by the body – by as much as 14%.

One of the hardest aspects of performing a tabata workout is staying focused for the full four minutes. As explained above, it only takes 6 to 8 very hard 20 second intervals with 10 second rest periods to substantially improve both your aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Dr. Tabata’s study proves this. Tabata also found that short-term intense interval training is highly effective in lowering the ratio of lean body mass to fat without compromising muscle size.

This interval training method is an intense and quick workout routine but very effective.The entire routine lasts only about 4 minutes if performed correctly. The rest period can be complete rest or a less intense pace. Tabata intervals are a great way of getting a very intense workout in a very short period of time. I’m sure you’ll feel like twenty seconds has never felt so long, 10 seconds never so short and four minutes never so painful!

Here is a sample Tabata workout that consists of 4 Tabata intervals, it will last for 16 minutes. For example you can do the following exercises, each exercise will take you 4 minutes:

* push-ups
* sit-ups
* squats
* burpees

The Gymboss Timer is an excellent Tabata interval timer which sends out alerts allowing you to concentrate on your workout. This was my workout for 19th Feb. 2011.

Originally posted 2011-09-29 08:58:19.

This evening I ran to the football pitch and using my gymboss timer did a tabata burpee workout and it wiped me out, I felt like I was going to die, I don’t know wether it was the heat or because I hadn’t eaten much but the workout totaled me, this workout is hardcore! 8 x 20 seconds of burpees with 10 seconds rest in between. I did this 4 times in total with short rests for a drink.

Originally posted 2010-07-21 22:08:46.

Short on time? Here is a 10 minute full body workout using dumbbells and the gymboss timer, each exercise is done for one minute time. Dumbbells should weigh enough that you can do the exercises for the full minute. If you can’t do a full minute, decrease the the weight. If the muscle is not fatigued after a minute, add more weight.

Warm up, then:

1. Shoulders – Overhead press with dumbbells
2. Chest – Chest press with dumbbells
3. Upper back – Upright row with dumbbells
4. Legs – Heel raises
5. Back – Two arm rows with dumbbells
6. Arms – Bicep curls with dumbbells
7. Legs – Squats with dumbbells
8. Lower back – Back extensions
9. Arms – Triceps kick-backs with dumbbells
10. Abdominals – Bicycles

Originally posted 2009-05-01 18:00:37.

Not, I was going to make this evenings workout an HIIT workout but unfortunately I’d forgotten to charge a battery for the gymboss timer. I’d wanted to make this evenings workout bodyweight only as I’d done a kettlebell workout yesterday, since I’d also no battery for the mp3 player (I could have put a DVD on but wanted to workout outdoors), I was left with the deck of cards. This evenings workout was a deck of cards workout. I worked through the deck twice.

First deck was:

Spades = crunches
Diamonds = Jumping Jacks
Hearts = push-ups
Clubs = squat thrusts

Second deck was:

Spades = rustys
Diamonds = quantum jumps
Hearts = push-ups
Clubs = squat thrusts

Repetitions
ace = 11 reps
2 = 2 reps
3 = 3 reps and so on
Jack = 11 reps
Queen = 12 reps
King = 13 reps
Joker = 25 of the previous exercise.

Originally posted 2009-06-13 19:07:31.

Todays workout was just a light one before sitting down to dinner. Snow is still thick on the ground so I went into the workshop at work and with my new heavy duty wire jump rope and Gymboss Timer, I jumped rope for 12×2 minute rounds with 30 seconds of ab work inbetween rounds. I followed this up with 10 sets of 25 push ups, alternating sets between hands wide apart, hands at shoulder width and hands together. Merry xmas.

The Gymboss timer is a small, easy to use, repeating interval timer. This multi-use timer has many versatile functions that make it beneficial to virtually any type of exercise program. The Gymboss can be used as a repeating interval timer, countdown timer, or a stopwatch for MMA/Boxing, Tabata, Hiit, Cardio, Kettlebell, Crossfit, Weightlifting, Running, Stretching…and more.

The Gymboss interval timer will give your workout the discipline and structure necessary to take your workout to the next level. This easy to use timer will allow you to control intensity and allow you to focus on the workout to get the best results possible! Muscle strength, size, and endurance, Fat loss, Anaerobic endurance , Cardio endurance and Increased VO2max.

The Gymboss timer will make any workout easier to plan and execute with more accuracy and consistency. Can be programmed for 1 or 2 intervals – 2 seconds to 99 minutes to repeat up to 99 times and has a beep and/or vibrate alarm with an alarm duration 1, 5, or 10 seconds. The timer also has a stopwatch function and a secure belt clip. The timer is compact at 1 ¾ x 2 ¼ x ½ inches and water and shock resistant an AAA battery is required. The timer comes in four flavours Silver, Black, Camo and Pink.

Boxers, Grapplers, and Martial Artists can benefit from the Gymboss personal boxing training timer which allows you to time ANY round time followed by ANY rest time from 2 seconds to 60 minutes.  I appreciate any feedback and workout routines that you use and I have listed a few of the ones I use below, send me yours and I will gladly add them.

Running – Perhaps the simplest use of the Gymboss timer, set the timer for 20 minutes, when the buzzer sounds turn around and run back.

Jump Rope – Set the timer for 10, 2 minute rounds with 30 seconds rest between rounds. This is a great way to warm up before your main workout.

Tabata – 20 seconds work followed by 10 seconds rest – 8 sets – brutal, but effective. Tabata is the name of the Japanese researcher who discovered a way to increase both anaerobic and aerobic pathways at the same time. It’s an excellent training program that seems to fit across all training disciplines for athletes looking to increase their VO₂max and lose fat quickly. Its only 4 minutes, but it is a 4 VERY DEMANDING 4 minutes. I personally use burpees with this one and aim for 8 burpees in the 20 seconds. Repeat 3 more times. This is a real ass-kicking workout that blasts your stamina and fat loss through the roof.

Bodyweight Circuit Training – Set the Gymboss interval timer for 6 rounds of 1 interval 30 seconds long. Choose 6 exercises that target different body parts; squats, pushups, rusties, mountain climbers, diamond pushups, lunges . Start the timer and switch exercises every time you hear the beep. After one circuit get a quick drink then start the timer again and repeat then repeat again untill you’ve worked through your desired number of circuits for a full body workout you can perform anywhere.

Interval Training -  The Swedes call this “Fartlek”, or speed play. Simply put this means varying the intensity within a workout.You add intensity in short bouts that you could not sustain throughout the session. If you consistently keep a moderate intensity during your cardiovascular conditioning, your body adapts over time, and you’ll find yourself on a plateau. To improve your fitness level while running either outdoors or on the treadmill, add some intense intervals. Run for five minutes, then run a faster pace or sprint for one minute, and repeat.

10 Minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Workout

Get the Gymboss Interval Timer here.

I haven’t updated for a variety of reasons just recently but mostly because I’ve been busy with work, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working out though. I’ve still found time to workout and took my 3 workout staples with me, my mp3 player with the pit workouts converted to mp3, deck of cards and my gymboss timer. I’ve mostly been in hotels for the last couple of months and mostly Hilton Hotels (ouch!) They’re not cheap but they have been convenient for work and they do have great gyms that as a guest are free to use. While I didn’t use any of the machines or free weights there was an aerobics room that had a reebok free standing bag in it that no-one but myself seemed to use. I’d get in there every evening after work and either do one of the 3 pit workouts, work through a couple of decks of cards or use the gymboss timer for tabata burpees. I’d never pay to use a gym and when I’m staying in a hotel that has no gym I’ll either find a nearby park, field or my favourite place to workout a beach and if the weather is too inclement I’ll work out in my room.

Videos for Gymboss Timer setup instructions, operating tips and troubleshooting.
(Clicking on a link will launch a new window)

* Setup Instructions

* Expanded Set-Up Instructions

* Stopwatch Function

* Operating Tips

* Troubleshooting your Gymboss