Workout Timer
Professional-grade HIIT & Tabata interval timer with voice coaching, dynamic visual cues, and a massive database of 50+ workout protocols. Features background accuracy via Web Workers.
About
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and metabolic conditioning rely on precise work-to-rest ratios to trigger the EPOC (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption) effect. Manual timekeeping introduces cognitive load and timing errors that degrade training stimulus. This tool provides a laboratory-grade timing solution designed for athletes, coaches, and therapists. Unlike basic timers, this engine incorporates Warmup and Cooldown phases, customizable cycle counts, and distinct audio-visual phases to optimize the ATP-CP and Glycolytic energy systems. It utilizes a separate browser thread (Web Worker) to guarantee millisecond accuracy even when the device is locked or the tab is backgrounded, solving the notorious "timer drift" issue found in standard JavaScript timers.
Formulas
To program an effective interval session, one must calculate the Total Session Duration (Ttotal). This comprises the Warmup (twarm), the core Interval Cycles, and the Cooldown (tcool). For a session with N sets, where each set consists of Work (twork) and Rest (trest):
Intensity is often gauged using the Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) method (Karvonen Formula). To find the Target Heart Rate (THR) for a specific intensity percentage (p):
Reference Data
| Training Protocol | Ratio (Work:Rest) | Physiological Target | Primary Energy System | Typical Duration | RPE (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabata (Izumi) | 2:1 (20s : 10s) | VO2 Max & Anaerobic Capacity | Phosphagen / Glycolytic | 4 min | 10 (Max) |
| Gibala Method | 1:1.25 (60s : 75s) | Insulin Sensitivity & Aerobic Power | Oxidative / Glycolytic | 30 min | 8-9 |
| Little Method | 1:1.25 (60s : 75s) | Mitochondrial Density | Oxidative | 18-27 min | 9 |
| Zuniga (Hypertrophy) | 1:1 (30s : 30s) | Muscle Size & Lactate Tolerance | Glycolytic | 10-20 min | 7-8 |
| Boxing (Amateur) | 3:1 (120s : 60s) | Skill Endurance | Mixed | 3 rounds | 8 |
| Boxing (Pro) | 3:1 (180s : 60s) | Aerobic Conditioning | Mixed | 12 rounds | 8 |
| MMA Championship | 5:1 (300s : 60s) | Metabolic Conditioning | Mixed | 5 rounds | 9 |
| Sprint 8 | 1:3 (30s : 90s) | Growth Hormone Release | Phosphagen | 20 min | 10 (Sprint) |
| EMOM (CrossFit) | Variable (~50s : 10s) | Work Capacity | Phosphagen | 10-20 min | Variable |
| Fartlek (Speed Play) | Random (e.g. 3:2) | Aerobic Base | Oxidative | 20-60 min | 6-8 |
| GVT (Rest Timer) | N/A (0s : 90s) | Hypertrophy (Volume) | ATP Replenishment | 45 min | 7 |
| Plyometrics | 1:5 (10s : 50s) | Explosive Power (CNS) | Phosphagen (ATP-CP) | 10 min | 10 |
| Tempo Run | Continuous | Lactate Threshold | Oxidative | 20-40 min | 7-8 |
| Aerobic Interval | 1:0.5 (4m : 2m) | Cardiac Output | Oxidative | 30-60 min | 7 |
| Phosphagen Power | 1:10 (5s : 50s) | Max Velocity | ATP-CP | 10 min | 10 |