Why Should I Try Circuit Training?

Have you ever participated in a boot camp-style class? If so, that is an example of a type of circuit training. A workout during which you cycle through several exercises (5-10) targeting different muscle groups with minimal rest in-between is considered circuit training. By alternating which body part you are targeting, one muscle group rests which another is working. As a result, there is no need to rest between exercises. The payout is a workout that taxes your cardiovascular system and enhances muscle definition. Moving from exercise to exercise with little rest raises your heart rate, which provides a metabolism boost. The trick is to use challenging weights and work to the point of fatigue before moving onto the next exercise.

Add a circuit workout once or twice a week and reap the following benefits:

1. Achieve More In Less Time:

Circuit training is an efficient workout for those who are time-crunched. You can fit in a practical, total-body workout whether you have 15 minutes or an hour.

2. Complete A Full Body Workout:

By incorporating individual stations as part of a full-body circuit, you're guaranteed to hit every major-and minor-muscle group. The best strategy: alternate between lower-body, upper-body, and core moves to give each muscle group a solid rest after each exercise.

3. Accomplish Two Workouts In One:

Circuit training offers the best of both worlds (cardiovascular and strength training) by allowing you to combine intervals of high-intensity cardio with strength training for a comprehensive-and incredibly challenging workout.

4. Stoke Your Metabolism:

With traditional strength training, each exercise is followed by a substantial rest period before moving onto the next. Typical cardiovascular training entails walking on the treadmill for a specific amount of time while you scroll through your Instagram. Circuit training, however, forces your heart rate to rise and remain elevated throughout. As a result, your fat-burning furnace (aka metabolism) is kicked into high gear. You'll torch more calories in 20 minutes than you would in an entire hour devoted to the workout as mentioned above. Plus, your metabolism remains elevated for hours after your training ends.

5. Beat Gym Boredom:

Because circuit training is such a flexible format, how you organize your workout is limitless. Whether you like to stick to one routine for a while to measure your progress or prefer mixing it up every time you go to the gym, having a plan will make you more confident and efficient.

Check out the video below as an example of a circuit workout.