Hong Ji-min demonstrates 2-minute Tabata routine

Musical actor Hong Ji-min, 52, shared an update on managing her health through Tabata exercise. Her YouTube channel posted a video on 14 showing her doing the workout with foreign participants.

In the video, Hong opened the session by saying, 'I will try a 2-minute Tabata,' then began exercising with the participants. She led squats, running in place and other full-body movements.

Tabata is a high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, method that repeats 20 seconds of intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. During the workout, Hong encouraged the participants by saying, 'Fighting' and 'Do it together.'

The participants followed Hong's cues, and the session included laughter and encouragement. After the workout, they also held an impromptu push-up contest.

Hong has been known for losing about 30㎏ or more in the past and maintaining her health through steady exercise and diet management. The video showed her continuing that workout habit by doing a short, high-intensity Tabata routine herself.

Tabata was devised by Japanese exercise physiologist Dr. Izumi Tabata and is characterized by repeated cycles of exercising at maximum intensity for 20 seconds and resting for 10 seconds. Because the exercise is high in intensity, beginners are advised to adjust the level to match their physical condition.