Circuit training is a fantastic way to improve your general fitness and get a great bodybuilding workout that will set you on the road to better health.
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Another Option…But is it a Good One?
If you are a fitness enthusiast, you know that you have many workout options. You can work out with weights, do HIIT, jog, swim or try a myriad of other activities to keep you in shape. Another workout option is circuit training. Circuit training involves doing a series of bodyweight or resistance exercises.
The duration of each exercise can last anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and it is then followed by another exercise. The entire workout length varies between 20 minutes and 45 minutes.
This article will explain the pros and cons of circuit training workout so you can determine if it’s something you want to add to your workout schedule.
Pro: Raise Metabolism
A circuit training workout will raise your metabolism. Whether it is performed with bodyweight exercises, resistance exercises or a combination of the two, this type of workout will get your heart pumping and put your metabolism in high gear. The reason for this is the stop and go nature of the workouts.
Between each exercise, a rest period is often taken. The rest period can last five seconds or 60 seconds. After resting, your body is forced into high-intensity exercise once more and this creates excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).
EPOC is responsible for raising your metabolism for many hours after you’ve completed your workout. Circuit training will help you burn more calories, and more fat, even when you aren’t working out.
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Versatility and Flexibility
Circuit training workouts give an added dimension of versatility because they can be performed anywhere. You can perform bodyweight circuit training exercises at home, in the gym or outdoors.
Weight training workouts can be slightly less versatile because you will need barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells, but that can be easily remedied by purchasing some equipment. Conversely, you can alternate by doing bodyweight exercises at home or outdoors, and going to the gym and performing a weight-training circuit workout.
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A Great Time Saver
One of the most attractive advantages of circuit training for busy people is that it can save you time. Traditional weight training workouts can last anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes. Cardio sessions (steady-state) usually last from 30 to 60 minutes.
If you have a full-time job and family to take care of, sometimes you can’t spend an extra two hours in the gym every day. Circuit training workouts can last 20 minutes or they can last 45 minutes. You will get a fantastic workout in that short period of time and then you can focus on other things in your life.
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Pro: Something New and Different
If you’re a dedicated fitness enthusiast and you’ve been doing the same workout for months or even years, circuit training can give something new and fun to try. You can switch up your resistance training workouts, one or two days a week and do circuit training workouts.
If you’re more focused on aerobics, you can try circuit training workouts to help you gain a little bit of lean mass. Whatever you use it for, it may be just the thing to add a little variety to your usual workout routine.
Con: Not for Beginners
Circuit training workouts may be a bit challenging for those just embarking on their fitness journey, and, for this reason, it’s usually more frequently used by seasoned fitness enthusiasts.
That is not to say that it’s impossible for beginners, just a bit more challenging. If you’re just starting to work out and think you can easily perform a circuit training workout, you probably can.
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Con: Harder Lean Mass Gains
If you want to gain lots of muscles, a circuit training workout isn’t the way to do it. You can get toned and burn fat, but if you want to experience serious muscle growth you’ll need to stick with a weight training workout.
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Summing up the Pros and Cons
Circuit training workouts are fantastic for those who need to save time, want to raise their metabolism or try something. It is also a great workout choice for athletes who want to be able to work out anywhere.
The only drawbacks of this type of workout are that it may not be well suited for beginners and you will find it hard to vastly increase your lean mass.
