The whole point of Tabata is to increase VO2 max and anaerobic capacity; a bastardization of tabata is what you typically get in CrossFit gyms. Think of it like this - you need to be moving as fast a humanly possible and sucking wind like your going to die in order to reap the benefits. Think heavy power snatches, or running with a weighted vest on a steeply inclined treadmill.
Here is a link to the abstract of the original study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8897392
Note where it says - 170% of VO2 Max.
If you just want to do some kind of interval training go for it; a minute on minute off is good. Tabata's 20sec on 10sec off is not some magic recipe for fitness unless your doing it as intended.
Good luck.