Circuit Training

Benefits of Circuit Training

  • Circuit training is a method of resistance training, or weight training, that maximizes the volume of work done in a short period of time.
  • It consists of performing multiple exercises on multiple body parts in a row with little rest in between exertions.
  • The two most basic types of circuit training are horizontal training and vertical training.
  • In horizontal training, all sets of one exercise are performed before a person moves on to the next exercise. In vertical training, one set of every different type of exercise is performed before returning to an exercise for the second time.
  • Benefits are as follows

    a) Due to the lack of rest that circuit training demands, exercisers maintain elevated heart rates for the entire period of exercise.

    b) The exerciser gains muscle through the resistance training and increases his/her cardiovascular endurance during the slightly elevated heart rate that is maintained in between sets and throughout the overall program.

    c) Circuit training, and interval training overall, increases the amount of oxygen that a person consumes post exercise, and therefore, increases the number of calories that a person burns throughout the day.

  • Circuit training is a convenient way to exercise. It maximizes the total exercise volume (number of sets, repetitions, and amount of weight) completed in a period of time.
  • Exercises are completed in a row, and therefore, the time spent exercising is condensed.