Aquajock, follow-up question...

[wendyloo]

Hi Anette. You answered a question over on the Ask Cathe forum, and I wanted to ask you one more aspect. I completely understand the difference between a circuit workout and an interval workout, but would you also say that a circuit workout IS an interval workout?? I mean, it is cardio at an elevated pace, then your heart rate drops somewhat as you do your weights, then goes back up for the cardio section, etc. An interval workout isn't a circuit, but isn't a circuit an interval workout?

Thanks!

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[Aquajock]

Hi, Wendyloo! Sorry this is so long in coming, but I don't have access to a computer over the weekend.

Yours is an interesting question, and I'll give a mealy-mouthed answer: it depends. I believe you can perform intervals within the context of a circuit workout (for example: Boot Camp; Cathe's "power blasts" in her CTX Power Circuit circuit segment; the Power Circuit segment of "Body Max" workout). However, note that the "power blast" intervals are not performed with resistance equipment. What makes a circuit workout "circuity" is the resistance cycles, and what makes group fitness workout design fun is the creativity you can fold into that!

Hope this answers your question! Thanks for asking!

A-jock

 

[clareMc]

And despite their similarlty, they make different demands upon the body and so both are needed as part of a balanced ftness routine.

If you do interval training, the blasts are tough, but stay within the same mode of demands they place upon the body, cardiovascular ones.

The tough thing about Circuit training is that it constantly changes up the demands placed upon the body, from cardiovascular, to strength, with some balance invloved in there and concentration upon form to lift the weights effectively. Personally I find circuit training more difficult because it is easier to go harder and challenge yourself by staying within the same mode, just jumping higher for a minute, than it is (at least for me) to drop from tuck jumps say to an arnolds press for the shoulder, then back to cardio blasts again. The body likes to get comfortable, and circuits just don't let it do that for long!

Circuit training would then bring additional benefits if you are a sports enthusiast, possibly give you faster reflexes, quicker and easier reaction time for chasing balls, hitting a backhand, etc.

Clare