The Ultimate Tabata Clock: the Gymboss Timer Review

The Tabata method consists of 8 x 30 second bursts of activity. Each 30 second set is split into 20 seconds of effort and 10 seconds of rest. The most important aspect is to work at as high an intensity as possible, that means flat out. This is hard work but will reap fantastic fitness and fat loss rewards.

Of course, a Tabata clock is not required, you can simply time the intervals on any clock with a second hand. The trouble with this timing method is that when you are working flat out it is easy to make mistakes. Avoiding these mistakes involves clock watching, which detracts from working out at a high intensity. It's a bit of a vicious circle.

The obvious answer is to purchase a timer to make the easy part easy. In my Opinion you can do no better than the Gymboss timer.

The Gymboss timer is a life saver, well it's a very good Tabata clock. I can't imagine doing Tabata training drills without one. More than just an interval timer the Gymboss also has countdown timer and stopwatch functions.

These functions are useful but the real beauty of this little timer is it's versatility. It can be set to time the standard Tabata method; eight rounds of twenty seconds and ten seconds (8 x 20:10) but it can handle any conceivable interval protocol you may want. For example, in the picture above it is set for ten rounds of three minutes and one minute; ideal for boxing training!

Versatile

The timer has the capability to handle intervals of between two seconds and 99 minutes for as many as 99 rounds! There is sufficient versatility there for any one. Used as a Tabata clock you can combine more than one full Tabata with or without a rest. If no rest is required simply up the number of rounds, for two Tabata's that would be 16 rounds. With one minute rest simply set the timer to 18 rounds BUT rest for rounds 10 and 9, which works out as one minute, easy.

Easy to use

The Gymboss timer is pretty easy to use, you just click the the numbers up and down, if you go past the function you want to change there is the handy option to scroll back through the options. The video below shows how easy the timer is to operate.

Compact

This Tabata clock is a compact, just 4.5cm x 6cm x 1.5cm (almost exactly the size in the picture above) and has a secure clip so you can attach it to your clothing or even a piece of equipment in the gym. There are options to have either 1,5 or 10 second alerts of vibrate/beep or both. Generally, the 1 second beep alert is sufficient for the Tabata method as the final beep lasts ten seconds to ensure you know when to end. Although if you don't know when the end is coming you ain't been working hard enough!

Being so compact it is very portable and can be used almost anywhere. IN a noisy environment the vibrate function can be very useful.

Value for Money

I’m extremely happy with this timer, it does everything I need, and at $19.95 I’m not complaining. I use it for Tabata's and rounds in my martial arts training and also as a stopwatch. I ordered mine from the US website and they sent it from somewhere in the UK so it was with me quickly and at a very reasonable cost.

For alternatives read this review of various Tabata Clock options.

• boxing rounds
• mma rounds
• HIIT