What is a Circuit Workout?
If you're looking to add more variety to your workouts, while maximizing your results, circuit training is for you.
Circuit training is a form of exercise that focuses on keeping your heart rate elevated as you perform a sequence of different exercises with minimal to no rest between each repetition and exercise. As mentioned above, this type of training is excellent for improving your cardiovascular health and strengthening various other muscle groups. Circuit training has many similarities to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT has grown in popularity over the last ten years because of its link to fat burning. Circuit training and HIIT share similar qualities, such as performing exercises at maximum exertion levels in short bursts and targeting various muscle groups during one workout.
A circuit workout typically has a combination of 8-12 different lower body, upper body, core, and cardio exercises, and you perform each exercise for either a set amount of time (30 seconds – 1 minute) or a set number of repetitions (10 – 25 reps) before moving on to the next exercise. The set of exercises are repeated 3-5 times, depending on your fitness ability.
Here is what you should know about circuit training and why it is effective for many people.
No excuses for not having enough time
Circuit training is an efficient form of exercise that even the busiest people can implement into their days. You can get an extremely effective workout in as little as 20 minutes and may not even have to leave the house to do it.
Low-cost options
Circuit training can be performed using multiple pieces of equipment in a commercial fitness center or at home or outside with minimal or no equipment. To receive an effective workout, choose ten bodyweight exercises, find open space, and get ready to sweat equipment free!
Avoid boredom in your workouts
Finding the motivation to exercise independently is a common hurdle many people face. If this is something you struggle with, the variability of circuit training may be what you need to stay consistent with your workouts. There are an infinite number of variations that you can do, and you will never have to do the same workout twice.
Target your entire body through different workout speeds
Circuit training allows you to hit every muscle group during one workout. Achieve this with a combination of low impact, high impact, aerobic, strength, and flexibility training. An example of targeting muscle groups at different speeds is to perform a set of weighted lunges followed by a set of bodyweight jump lunges.
Mood booster
Circuit workouts keep your heart rate elevated for an extended period, which bumps up the production of your brain's endorphins, making you happier and helping reduce the negative feelings associated with stress.