Circuit Training

Circuit training routines are a favourite of many trainers. It's great for Stamina building, used as part of injury rehabilitation programs, and is great for anyone serious in their health and stamina quest. Often this is used for conditioning elite level athletes so you can understand the level of work and also reward this can give you.

 

So what is it?

 

Circuit training consists of a consecutive series of timed exercises performed one after the other with varying amounts of rest between each exercise. For example, a simple circuit training routine might consist of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, chin-ups and lunges. The routine might be structured as follows, and could be continually repeated as many times as is necessary.

• Do as many push-ups as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds
• Do as many squats as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds
• Do as many sit-ups as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds
• Do as many lunges as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds
• Do as many chin-ups as you can in 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds
 

What makes it so good?

 

The quick pace and constant changing nature of circuit training places a unique type of stress on the body, which differs from normal exercise activities like weight training and aerobics.
 

The demands of circuit training tend to prepare the body in a very even, all-round manner. I have found circuit training to be an exceptional form of exercise to aid in the prevention of injury. Circuit training is one of the best ways I have found to condition your entire body and mind.

There are many other reasons why circuit training is a fantastic form of exercise, and what most of these reasons come down to is flexibility. In other words, circuit training is totally customisable to your specific requirements.
 

• Circuit training can be totally personalised. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete you can modify your circuit training routine to give you the best possible results.

• A circuit training routine can be modified to give you exactly what you want. Whether you want an all-over body workout or you just want to work on a specific body area or you need to work on a particular aspect of your sport.

• You can change the focus of your circuit training routine to emphasise strength, endurance, agility, speed, skill development, weight loss, or any other aspect of your fitness that is important to you.

• Circuit training is time efficient. No wasted time in between sets. It is maximum results in minimum time.

• You can do circuit training just about anywhere. One of my favourite places for doing circuit training is at some of the parks and playground areas near where I live. Circuit training is a favourite form of exercise for the British Royal Marine Commandos because they tend to spend a lot of time on large ships. The confined spaces means that circuit training is sometimes the only form of exercise available to them.

• You do not need expensive equipment. You do not even need a gym membership. You can just as easily put together a great circuit training routine at home or in a park. By using your imagination you can devise all sorts of exercises using things like chairs and tables and even children's outdoor play equipment like swings and monkey bars.

• Another reason why I like Circuit Training so much is that it is great fun to do in pairs or groups. Half the group exercise while the other half rests and motivates the exercising members of the group.

Extracts taken from here.

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