Circuit training uses either a series of exercise stations or other forms of exercise not involving equipment on a circuit, which you have to complete within a given period of time .
The exercises usually involve different factors of physical fitness - muscular and cardiovascular endurance, speed, strength and co-ordination. For example, one full circuit may have 15 different exercises and you spend exactly two minutes on each before progressing to the next. Some exercises could include continuous step-ups onto a bench, press-ups, sit-ups, sets of sprints between markers, star jumps, jogging, leg lifts, or triceps dips. This would provide 30 minutes of high-intensity activity.
A good instructor will motivate you to run between stations and work hard at all times so that a high heart rate is maintained throughout the session.
The benefits of circuit training
Improving your cardiovascular endurance is fundamental to the aims of circuit training. This is achieved when the sets of exercises are performed with carefully controlled rest periods and spurts of activity so that your heart rate doesn't drop so low that you're no longer stressing your oxygen transport system.
An improvement to speed and general strength can also be expected since activities such as sprints and sit-ups are often included.
Circuit training also gives you the opportunity to devote a little time to less obvious facets of your overall fitness. Stomach muscles, for example, might not receive any attention at all if it wasn't for the particular station that requires three sets of 15 sit-ups each time you complete a circuit!
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