Circuit training was developed in the 1950s, named after its original circular set up. Its purpose is to provide a solid workout to each set of muscles in the body by combining resistance and cardiovascular training.

You don’t need a special studio for circuit training; the local gym is the perfect place to perform your circuit-training workouts. Each circuit training session consists of six to fifteen circuit-training stations with exercises focusing on alternate sets of muscles. This alternating focus allows your muscles to recuperate and recover adequately. Keep in mind that circuit training has very short rest intervals: 30 to 90 seconds between each station, and one to three minutes between circuits. This combination of short rest intervals and intense exercise allows the benefits of resistance and cardio training to really take effect on the body.

Circuit Training Benefits

Add a little spice and variety to your regular gym workout by switching to circuit training. After taking a look at what circuit training has in store for you, you won’t be able to resist the temptation of trying it out for yourself.

1. Full Body Workout

Who doesn’t like the idea of a solid, full-body workout all in one gym session? With circuit training you won’t have to wait till the next time you hit the gym to give every muscle in your body the workout that it needs. Moreover, the short rest intervals, the circuit training stations and the high intensity exercises will give you a sense of direction and keep you focused throughout your entire workout session.

2. Save Time

One of the best things about circuit training is its flexible workouts and the ease with which circuit training stations can be switched. No more walking around the gym aimlessly wasting time just because some other fitness enthusiast is using the exercise equipment you want! With circuit training you can just substitute an exercise with another one without wasting any time or disrupting your circuit-training workout.  

3. Maximum Results

Have you been avoiding the gym because you just don’t have time to commit to a proper workout schedule? Then we have great news for you: whether you have 30 minutes or an hour to spare, you can treat your body to a solid workout with circuit training. Simply choose your circuit training stations and perform the exercises until your time runs out.

4. Enhanced Metabolism

The combination of high-intensity cardio exercises with strength training (weight lifting) kicks your metabolism into action like never before. In effect, you’ll burn more calories in 20 minutes of circuit training than you would in an hour spent on the elliptical. The after-burn effect of circuit training workouts is so strong that your body will be burning calories up to 48 hours after your circuit-training workout.

5. Variation

With circuit training, you’ll never be stuck using the same old exercise machines. You can use dumbbells, kettle-bells, medicine balls, a jump rope, weight training equipment, physio-balls and your own body weight, among other things. With such flexibility and variety, your circuit training workout sessions will never hit the boredom plateau.