does anyone prefer circuits to straight weight training??

jharris35

Cathlete
This week I split up Power Hour, one day I did it with cardio, one day I did it alone. The day I did it alone I missed my cardio. Is it okay to do just circuits? Or should I try to incorporate on day of straight weights. I like Butts and Gutts by itself. I guess if my cal burn on my hr is high enough I feel like I've wasted my time.

Jenn
 
It depends on your goal. With circuits you tend to gain endurance but not so much in the strength and definition areas.

Burning calories *during* a weight training session shouldn't be your goal, because the calorie burning benefits occur *after* your workout, through the process of building muscle. So, it's definitely not a waste of time (unless you're not challenging yourself).
 
I know it's important, and I would love to see defintion. I guess I'm just a cardio junkie at heart. I will have to play and see what will work. :)
 
Jenn-
Circuits are my fav! I use them for 4-6 weeks after a month of heavy weight training... they lean me out and keep my HR endurance high.
Do what you love and tweek w/os so it suits your fitness goals... Nothing worse than creating a rotaion that you "blow off" 2-3x a week because its a dread factor.;-)
 
I like circuits as a change, but I prefer separating weights and cardio, to get the best results from both.

For me, when I have less time to workout, and can only get in a workout every other day, cardio/weight circuits are a good option.

I think it's best to do both.
 
I have a physically demanding job and work erratic hours, so I usually only workout 3 times a week. Would doing circuit workouts be the best bang for my buck under these circumstances? I really don't have the time or energy for a full blown 6-day a week rotation. Muscle definition is important to me and I'm not big on straight cardio so I'm thinking circuits are probably my best bet. Any thoughts?
 
CoralOcean: Personally, I think yes - that circuits are going to be your best bet for three X a week, all-out workouts that will get results and make you feel like you really did something during that hour of working out.
 
>CoralOcean: Personally, I think yes - that circuits are
>going to be your best bet for three X a week, all-out workouts
>that will get results and make you feel like you really did
>something during that hour of working out.

I agree.
Especially with a physically demanding job, you are probably quite active and doing some real-life strength training at work.
 
I think sometimes your body just needs a change. I do days of straight lifting, straight cardio, and then I love to top it off with a circuit day or two. I think the cal burn can be quite high depending upon what you are doing. Think, hardcore extreme circuit. For shorter I am in love with HSTA. I will always love BC too :)


Debbie


Peter: Oh my god, Brian, there's a message in my Alphabits. It says, 'Oooooo.'
Brian: Peter, those are Cheerios.
--Family Guy
 

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