See thats exactally where I get confused. When so many people say something along the lines of the above quote. I thought HIIT, Tabata, and other high intensity interval training was best for sparing muscle tissue??? I just want to know whats more effective and I will go balls out no matter which method. But I really don't want to have to try both if I don't have to I want to be cut down as soon as possible. High Intensity short duration / interval OR low intensity longer duration??? WTF no clear cut answers ANYWHERE just the same two approaches claiming to be superior at the same fucking things lol.
The idea behind the Tabata method is to raise metabolism throughout the day.
So while you may burn 200cals during your cardio session, walking on the treadmill, versus 150cals while sprinting in half the amount of time; you will supposedly burn an extra X amount of calories MORE throughout the day using a higher intensity method similar to the Tabata method.
Kind of a numbers game. Bottom line, do what works for you (and somewhat just as importantly) your schedule. I used to break up my aerobics into separate sessions throughout the day. But now, I'm up at 2:30am, in bed @7pm. I have no time to do that anymore. I have to lump it all in together...and in the end this has worked the best for me. But it's not my preference.