This is a question which has intrigued me for some time. At the moment I'm doing 30 mins of Cardio (tough intervals on elliptical trainer) followed by a strength workout, 5-6 days a week (obviously alternating body parts worked)and getting amazing results. Would I get the same results if I did the same workout but split it i.e. 10 mins cardio, a portion of strength, 10 mins cardio etc..? This is probably a question more for the Open Discussion so my apologies Cathe/ anyone for asking it here. I'm quite attracted to the idea of circuit style workouts as they can appear to go faster and alleviate the boredom I sometimes feel working out! I'm seriously considering Karen Voight's Cardio Strength and other circuit tapes. Can anyone shed any light on this? Your advice to this confused London would be much appreciated !
Circuit training versus cardio/strength split
- Thread starter Fitnik
- Start date
The only way to know if it would change your results would be to try it. They do say it is good to change your workouts. I would suggest you try it and if it and see what happens but I wouldn't count it as a strength workout.
I really like circuit training for the variety incorporated into them. The main focus when doing circuit is cardio not weight training so I would coninue doing a strength alone workout. Cathes Circuit Max is a great tape. It has hi/lo, kickboxing and step with the short weight intervals.
Hope this helps
I really like circuit training for the variety incorporated into them. The main focus when doing circuit is cardio not weight training so I would coninue doing a strength alone workout. Cathes Circuit Max is a great tape. It has hi/lo, kickboxing and step with the short weight intervals.
Hope this helps
Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Fitnik! Generally speaking, it is a good idea to vary your workouts from time to time to shock your muscles. So definitely incorporate it for a change of pace.
But on a more personalized note, the workouts that you are currently doing are very high intensity 5 to 6 days a week. It is better for you to include a couple of lighter intensity workouts per week to help keep your body free of injuries. So my suggestion would be to do your high intensity workouts 4 to 5 days a week and your circuit workouts (which in most cases---but truly depends on the workout design---will be a little less intense since you do not maintain a fixed focus in one area for very long) one to two days per week. Good Luck!
But on a more personalized note, the workouts that you are currently doing are very high intensity 5 to 6 days a week. It is better for you to include a couple of lighter intensity workouts per week to help keep your body free of injuries. So my suggestion would be to do your high intensity workouts 4 to 5 days a week and your circuit workouts (which in most cases---but truly depends on the workout design---will be a little less intense since you do not maintain a fixed focus in one area for very long) one to two days per week. Good Luck!