Benefit of circuit training?

[leapfrog80]

Hi Cathe,
I couldn't find an answer to my question on the internet and was hoping you (or someone else knowledgeable) could educate me -- what is the benefit of circuit training, and why should I do this type of training over pure intense cardiovascular workouts mixed with intense strength training? I feel that circuit training is neither here nor there and that my time would be better spent going all out with cardio or all out with weights. My heart rate goes up with circuit exercises but nowhere near as high as with Hiit or IMAX; and I don't get the same burn that I do with Power Hour or Muscle Max, so I feel I'm not getting the same quality workout. Hopefully someone can enlighten me, so I'll be inspired to do my circuit training workouts! I have almost all your dvds but find myself reaching for interval cardio workouts or pure strength training workouts, therefore I do have a lot of circuit workouts on my shelf just waiting to be used.
Thanks!
busy momma

 

[112toGuru]

Bump.....Any chance for an article on this in the blog?

Linda

 

[Gibbee]

Bumping. I like to read Cathe's thoughts on various training methods, too.

 

[cher54]

bump, bump, bumping!

 

[cher54]

Bumping one more time! Any takers? TIA!

 

[Afreet]

I'm obviously not Cathe and I don't speak for her; I can only offer my own perspective.

I LOVE circuit workouts. I incorporate lots of them each week, but I also do some regular cardio.

Some days, I have a shorter attention span during workouts and changing up the exercises and sequences, as one does in a circuit workout, makes the workout more fun & the time flies by. So there's that.

A circuit workout can really be as intense as you want it to be. It can be all cardio, all weights, or a combination of both. I do lots of kettlebell and bodyweight circuits these days and I really like them. When I do a circuit with weights, I find I can go really, really heavy, because changing between exercises frequently gives each muscle group a little break.

To me, it's a way of keeping workouts fun, changing up your routine to break through plateaus, and getting a lot done in a shorter period of time. I don't know that they're necessarily better than other workouts - they're just different.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Leapfrog!

I don't believe that you should do circuit training "over" any type of other fitness training. I think you should mix it up and do something different frequently.

I agree with what Afreet said, "it's a way of keeping workouts fun, changing up your routine to break through plateaus, and getting a lot done in a shorter period of time. I don't know that they're necessarily better than other workouts - they're just different".

Circuit workouts also offer a lot of muscle confusion, variety, enhanced muscle fiber recruitment, cross training and are a great boredom buster.

Hope this helps!

Hi Cathe,
I couldn't find an answer to my question on the internet and was hoping you (or someone else knowledgeable) could educate me -- what is the benefit of circuit training, and why should I do this type of training over pure intense cardiovascular workouts mixed with intense strength training? I feel that circuit training is neither here nor there and that my time would be better spent going all out with cardio or all out with weights. My heart rate goes up with circuit exercises but nowhere near as high as with Hiit or IMAX; and I don't get the same burn that I do with Power Hour or Muscle Max, so I feel I'm not getting the same quality workout. Hopefully someone can enlighten me, so I'll be inspired to do my circuit training workouts! I have almost all your dvds but find myself reaching for interval cardio workouts or pure strength training workouts, therefore I do have a lot of circuit workouts on my shelf just waiting to be used.
Thanks!
busy momma