About Circuit Training
Circuit training is a type of interval training in which strength exercises are combined with aerobic exercises, thus giving you all the benefits of both a cardiovascular and strength training workout.
The main purpose of circuit workouts are to give you more variety, keep
your heart pumping and give you the best results in the shortest amount
of time.
Circuit Training Benefits
Circuit training is an excellent way to improve mobility, strength and stamina.
Circuit training has been made popular by
places like Curves and Ladies Workout Express. In circuit training you
have several pieces of strength training equipment interspersed with
aerobic equipment like steps or jogging pads. It has all the benefits
of both cardiovascular and strength training workouts.
Types of Circuit Training
There are many types of circuit training, but
the most conventional way is performing 8 to 12 strength exercises that
are completed one exercise after another.
Each exercise is performed for a specified
number of repetitions or for a prescribed time before moving on to the
next exercise.
The exercises within each circuit are separated
by brief, timed rest intervals, and each circuit is separated by a
longer rest period.
The total number of circuits performed during a
training session may vary from two to six depending on your training
level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), your period of training
(preparation or competition) and your training objective.
For example, one would perform squats, then
with no rest go straight into lunges, then leg extensions, then leg
curls, then calf raises, etc.
There are many ways to structure your circuit
training. You can make up a workout that is only upper body or lower
body. You could incorporate sports drills with strength exercise in
between. There are endless possibilities when constructing a circuit
workout.
Circuit Training Goals
Typically circuit training is a type of
interval training aimed at losing weight and inches, however it can
also be used to add strength, endurance and/or to build muscle as well.
A circuit training workout can be structured in many different ways depending on your goals. For instance:
- To incorporate more strength then you should increase the load and increase the rest intervals.
- If you looking to increase endurance you would decrease the load and decrease the rest intervals.
About Jeff Behar Jeff Behar, MS, MBA is a recognized health, fitness and nutrition expert, regularly writing about hot topics in the areas of health, fitness, disease prevention, nutrition, anti aging and alternative medicine. Jeff Behar's work often appears in several of the major health and fitness newsletters, health and fitness magazines, and on major health, and fitness websites. Jeff Behar is also a well sought after personal trainer, motivational speaker and weight loss expert.
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