CrossTown Fitness thrives on high intensity interval training workouts, and now the West Loop gym is offering classes that incorporate Tabata, the latest craze in fast strength training. This time-effective form of interval training makes it easier than ever to fit a total body workout into your schedule and see results after just a couple of weeks. Tabata involves pushing yourself as hard as possible for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest, and repeating this 8 times for a total of 4 minutes.

Discovered by Dr. Izumi Tabata, a Japanese scientist at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, Tabata proves to work both aerobic and anaerobic systems. Incorporated into more than 100 weekly group fitness classes each week at CTF, this training style can include almost any exercise from situps, squats, burpees and more using free weights, kettle bells and body weight to help accelerate calorie and fat burn.

“Tabata workouts are a great way to switch up your routine with exercises that you may already be use to,” explains CTF Fitness Director Betina Ely. “We challenge our clients to keep the same pace throughout the whole four minutes in order to increase their stamina, strength and endurance.”

Betina and the trainers at CrossTown Fitness are offering the Tabata classes now and can be booked through CrossTown Fitness’ online scheduling center. Classes are $25 for a drop in or are included in a membership.