Many people don't realize what circuit training is and that it can be beneficial for everyone. They simply chalk it up to something people who want a general workout routine do, and don't give it a second thought. Well this is me asking you to GIVE it that second thought and push your fitness goals to the next level. Don't think of circuit training as the latest fad in fitness because it is here to stay and it is a fabulous way to build strength, endurance and your overall fitness level.
Well I guess then we should start with, "what is circuit training"? The purpose of circuit training is to keep you moving by only allowing you to take minimal breaks between exercises. If you absolutely must rest you can take 10 seconds to walk around and then KEEP GOING. NEVER STOP MOVING!!
This may be different from other workouts you have followed. For example, it is different from super-setting or compound setting, which target one or two specific muscle groups and will work the fatigue factor of those muscles to increase the intensity of your workout. Circuit training, on the other hand, works because it causes you to keep pushing your body aerobically while at the same time still challenging your strength and muscular endurance.
Like every other activity at the gym there are always going to be some common misconceptions. This is my chance to clear those up and to give you a clearer picture of the amazing benefits of circuit training. You may think that circuit training is something that you do with some small 5 lb. weights. This is probably because you associate no rest with light weight, and you associate wanting to increase your strength with lifting heavy weights. However, and this is where I clear things up ... muscle responds to the total tension produced. If you use lighter weights, but are able to get in more reps during a certain period of time, you will produce the same - if not more - total tension and will stimulate your muscles to GROW.
So now that I have given you a base of what exactly circuit training is all about let's get into the good stuff ... the BENEFITS of circuit training.
First, it allows you to be able to work on your aerobic training while at the same time building strength. Since you are constantly working your way through the workout and keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time, you are therefore reaping the same benefits as that runner logging all those miles on the treadmill; but your added bonus is the strength training you are receiving at the same time. Not to mention circuit training is A LOT less mind-numbing than running on a treadmill for hours at a time. Trust me, as I have become acutely aware of this!
Second, since you are able to get through a full body circuit training program much more efficiently than any other workout you are going to be spending much less time in the gym. Who doesn't like this concept?! I am sure like most other people out there you don't really have time to be spending hours and hours training at the gym.
Lastly, due to fewer rest periods you will experience an increase in the amount of testosterone you release. Now women, DONT PANIC ... you NEED this release of testosterone as it serves to help your muscles grow. And although you may not want big bulging muscles, they still need to grow for your strength and tone to develop. The more muscle density you have the more calories that you burn all day, everyday!
Circuit training is an excellent way to kick-start your training or to boost it to a new level if you feel you have hit that plateau we all dread. So, when you hear people "water cooler talking" about what they are trying out at the gym you can toss this idea at them. Circuit training is NOT a fad, and it is NOT an easy way out of a workout. It is for people like you who are committed to their training and their workouts and who want to SEE and FEEL results!
Well I guess then we should start with, "what is circuit training"? The purpose of circuit training is to keep you moving by only allowing you to take minimal breaks between exercises. If you absolutely must rest you can take 10 seconds to walk around and then KEEP GOING. NEVER STOP MOVING!!
This may be different from other workouts you have followed. For example, it is different from super-setting or compound setting, which target one or two specific muscle groups and will work the fatigue factor of those muscles to increase the intensity of your workout. Circuit training, on the other hand, works because it causes you to keep pushing your body aerobically while at the same time still challenging your strength and muscular endurance.
Like every other activity at the gym there are always going to be some common misconceptions. This is my chance to clear those up and to give you a clearer picture of the amazing benefits of circuit training. You may think that circuit training is something that you do with some small 5 lb. weights. This is probably because you associate no rest with light weight, and you associate wanting to increase your strength with lifting heavy weights. However, and this is where I clear things up ... muscle responds to the total tension produced. If you use lighter weights, but are able to get in more reps during a certain period of time, you will produce the same - if not more - total tension and will stimulate your muscles to GROW.
So now that I have given you a base of what exactly circuit training is all about let's get into the good stuff ... the BENEFITS of circuit training.
First, it allows you to be able to work on your aerobic training while at the same time building strength. Since you are constantly working your way through the workout and keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time, you are therefore reaping the same benefits as that runner logging all those miles on the treadmill; but your added bonus is the strength training you are receiving at the same time. Not to mention circuit training is A LOT less mind-numbing than running on a treadmill for hours at a time. Trust me, as I have become acutely aware of this!
Second, since you are able to get through a full body circuit training program much more efficiently than any other workout you are going to be spending much less time in the gym. Who doesn't like this concept?! I am sure like most other people out there you don't really have time to be spending hours and hours training at the gym.
Lastly, due to fewer rest periods you will experience an increase in the amount of testosterone you release. Now women, DONT PANIC ... you NEED this release of testosterone as it serves to help your muscles grow. And although you may not want big bulging muscles, they still need to grow for your strength and tone to develop. The more muscle density you have the more calories that you burn all day, everyday!
Circuit training is an excellent way to kick-start your training or to boost it to a new level if you feel you have hit that plateau we all dread. So, when you hear people "water cooler talking" about what they are trying out at the gym you can toss this idea at them. Circuit training is NOT a fad, and it is NOT an easy way out of a workout. It is for people like you who are committed to their training and their workouts and who want to SEE and FEEL results!
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