What is the difference?

[dbergunder]

I hope I don't sound dumb for asking this...

What is the difference between interval training, circuit training and high/low impact?

Also for those of you who are into weight lifting... is doing drill max a hard enough weight training workout? I really don't like to do just weights... I like the cardio mixed with it… so I like doing drill max as my weight training. I do it 2-3 times a week. Is that enough to create noticeable muscle tone? I also pause it and do more reps with my triceps and bicep’s because I feel I need a little more work.

 

[kathryn]

Interval training is a cardio workout interspersing blasts of anaerobic or near-anaerobic ('out of breath') effort with steady state (like the Imax workouts, or running and doing short sprints with recovery periods between them).

Circuit training originally refered to a weight workout done on machines set up in a circuit, and exercisers moving around the circuit to each station, doing one exercise after the other. Nowdays, it refers to a workout where you move from one exercise to another without a break, like in Cathe's Supersets workout, or a workout that does this and incorporates cardio as well, like Low impact circuit.
Hi/Lo is an abbreviation for "high-impact/low-impact" aerobics, and includes both. In high-impact aerobics, both feet will be off the ground at some points. In low-impact aerobics, one foot is always in contact with the ground.

HTH!

 

[aseay]

drill max is not a workout for building muscle tone. same with circuit max,bodymax,lic. slow and heavy and gymstyle chest/tri and back/shoulder/bi would be best unless u do premixes with just upper body 2-3 sets slow reps.

laura

 

[dbergunder]

So the weights that she lifts with that DVD (drill max) aren't enough to build muscle?

 

[JTreddin]

I use Drill Max as a part of my weekly weight training routine, and I have seen significant difference in my muscle tone and definition, especially in my shoulders and biceps. In my opinion, the cardio mixes in Drill Max are also designed to help build and define muscle, specifically targeting the legs. It might not be the only thing to use as a muscle-defining tool, but it definitely helps.

 

[aseay]

no they are not

laura

 

[Aquajock]

Interval training, a method of improving cardiovascular condition, is when you perform mini-bursts of all-out exertion for a short period of time, then a brief recovery, then a moderate exertion, then back to a mini-burst. Again, this is cardio. Think of it this was: Jog for 1 minute (moderate); running sprint for one minute (all-out exertion); walk/recover for 1 minute, then back to jogging.

Circuit training is interspersing bouts of cardio-oriented drills with resistance-oriented drills, OR cycling resistance drills hitting different muscle groups in a roundabout fashin. For cardio/resistance circuit training, think: Jog for 2 minutes, then do 1 minute of barbell squats; jog for 2 minutes, then do one minute of biceps curls. Or whatever.

IMHO Drill Max's ability to develop absolute strength and the mass needed to "create noticeable muscle tone" is limited. In fact, if you are having to ask the question, AND if you're having to pause and add more reps on because you need more work, you've actually answered the question yourself: "No."

A-Jock

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I switched to Cathe because I wasn't getting the results I wanted from The Firm, where everything is circuit. I've had great results after switching to Cathe and keeping my serious weight training (3-day split) seperate from my cardio/aerobic. I have about a zillion FIRM circuit dvd's that I'll never use now because they're just not enough to give me muscle or heart health. I wish I'd switched much earlier. What a waste of money.

 

[kariev]

>I switched to Cathe because I wasn't getting the results I
>wanted from The Firm, where everything is circuit. I've had
>great results after switching to Cathe and keeping my serious
>weight training (3-day split) seperate from my cardio/aerobic.
> I have about a zillion FIRM circuit dvd's that I'll never use
>now because they're just not enough to give me muscle or heart
>health. I wish I'd switched much earlier. What a waste of
>money.


you can always sell them on ebay or hang on to them and do 1 week circuit style training after 4-6 weeks of an intense strength rotation.

 

[maddiesmum]

I agree with previous posters. Circuit workouts, Drill max being an example, are targetting all-over bodily stamina. Their point is to take your cardiovascular and muscles to the max/anaerobic threshold in order to improve endurance, not to strengthen the muscles. Of course, these workouts will help strengthen muscles, but only to a certain point. Seems you have already reached that point because you feel the need to add more reps in.

Keep Drill Max in your routine for once a week, then the other two times do different types of cardio, say Imax 2, and weight training where weights only are the focus and serious strength and muscle building is the goal. For the latter, you could try GS series and Slow & Heavy as excellent examples.

Repeatedly doing the same workout will lead to one of three things: either burn out and boredom, or you will plateau and cease seeing fitness improvement with the same workout, or repetitive stres injuries.

I want to encourage you to not do Drill Max more than once per week, and then explore all the other amazing and equally challenging workouts Cathe has to offer. This way, you avoid boredom and injury and continue to challenge your body and see and feel results.

Clare

 

[dbergunder]

Thanks for all your help... I now have more of an idea on how to plan this coming weeks schedule.