Circuit Training?? What is it?

By Ivan Girevoy

Have you ever used circuit training for getting in shape fast?

Circuit training is a form of fitness training that combines cardio and strength training in which a set of exercises is completed one right after the other. Each exercise is performed for a specified number of repetitions or a prescribed period of time before you move on to the next exercise. Pace and constant motion are what make this such a different workout routine. Most professional trainers use some sort of circuit training with the clients they have.

For many athletes and fitness buffs, circuit training is a great way to give yourself a total body workout (both aerobic and strength training) in a short time period. Most of the time when you see the dramatic physical condition of your favorite actor or sports person..those results are a product of good diet and circuit training.

Most people feel that if they don't spend at least an hour working out at the gym that they won't see results.Nothing could be farther from the truth. Intense short circuit training workouts can give you an even better session than you might get from from a slow workout for an hour and a half at the gym. In most cases when you get it set in your mind that you only have a short period of time...you actually push yourself more to get your exercise in...this increases the cardio effect of your training.

For a circuit training workout you do your exercises quickly and you don't rest a lot between sets of exercises.Circuit training is a workout that puts together lifting weights and aerobics. The combination of constant movement and varied exercises forces the body to adapt by burning more calories and increasing the muscle endurance.

Circuit training can be really tough but is also very effective. Some people avoid circuit training because it is such a challenge. Others love circuit training because even though it can push you really hard - it is much shorter than a traditional workout. Circuit training has been found to burn fat faster and build shapely muscle more quickly than almost any other type of workout for the amount of time invested.

To engage in a circuit training workout that will really get you results, you want to start with a three to five minute warm up and then do five minutes of cardio that builds in intensity - this gets your heart and body ready for the circuit. A sample circuit training workout could have two to three complete circuits with each circuit containing six strength training exercises and six cardio exercises that are completed one right after the other with little or no rest in between. You could complete a workout like this in as little as twenty to thirty minutes while burning hundreds of calories.

Circuit training is a GREAT option for getting a total body workout if you are short on time. You just can't beat circuit training for an intense workout! Plus the options of the different types of routines are up to you. - 29957

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