As our lives become filled with more and more responsibilities our fitness routine sometimes takes a back seat to all the other priorities that we have. But that shouldn’t be the case! Our fitness routine has numerous benefits to it that can help shape our resiliency and longevity for years if we can stick to a consistent and enjoyable routine. So how can we achieve what we used to in 90 minutes in just 30-40 minutes? Enter Circuit Training!
What is Circuit Training? Circuit Training is a workout format involving a series of exercises performed with minimal rest. These workouts combine multiple muscle groups and incorporate strength, endurance, and cardio into the session. These types of workouts can be tailored to all different fitness levels from beginners just getting started to higher fitness levels and more advanced individuals.
Circuit Training has several benefits associated with its format:
- Time Efficient: You can achieve a full body workout in a short period of time! Perfect for any busy schedule.
- Burns More Calories: High-intensity circuits raise your heart rate quicker, boosting calorie burn during and after the workout.
- Building Strength and Endurance: Combining resistance training and aerobic activity helps build your bodies engine to have a more well-rounded fitness routine
- Versatile and Scalable: Since you can progress or regress to any level of fitness, you can pick and choose the hardest thing(s) that you do well and progress from there.
- Keeps You Engaged: Theres so much variety that it helps keep you engaged and challenged reducing plateaus.
How can you go about designing your own circuit training? First off, choose your focus. Decide if you want more strength, cardio, or a mix of both. Second, include a variety of movements that incorporate the major movements of push, pull, squat, hinge, lunging, and cardio. Third, set your work and rest intervals. The more work and less rest you perform the harder things become. Common intervals are 30 seconds work, 15 seconds rest, or 45/15 seconds. Fourth, plan out the number of rounds you’ll perform. Aim for 3-5 rounds of 4-6 exercises, all dependent on the time you have available and your fitness level.
Circuit training can be an incredibly effective tool for continuing your pursuit for greater performance and reduced risk of injury. The number one rule for performing this type of training, always prioritize form and function. You will maximize your benefits and stay healthy in the process to have years of fun and engaging training sessions while reaping the benefits of your enhanced workouts!
