Circuit Training, A Powerful Fat Melting Weapon

Here's why you should consider adding circuit training to your fitness plan.When you think of melting fat with exercise, you probably think of hours of hard, sweaty, painful exertion. If this is the case, then, you might not get very far. Research shows that when we try to lose more by exerting more effort, we tend to get bored easily.

A circuit training workout routine combines cardio exercises with strength training, to provide an overall workout that will target most of the major muscle groups as well as the heart and lungs. Each exercise is performed in a short burst while taking a very brief rest before moving on to the next activity. Some circuit training exercises could include push-ups, jumping rope, squats, jogging and bench presses. The goal is to get a complete exercise session that works every part of the body within a short period of time. These training sessions can last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on your fitness level.

Backed by research

After intensive research, health experts concluded that incorporating this type of training can help overcome or break the monotony or dullness of the typical exercise program. According to The Cooper Institute in Dallas, TX;”It's the most scientifically proven exercise system. It's time efficient and incorporates strength, flexibility and cardio in the same workout.”

And Studies at Baylor University and the Cooper Institute show that this kind of training is the most time efficient way to enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance.

Keep these three in mind

Circuit training has three basic components:

1. Endurance/aerobic exercises to condition the heart and lungs. This is the cardiovascular portion of the routine and it can include walking, jogging or any other aerobic activity that keeps your heart rate at a steady and fairly high level.

2. Exercises to strengthen the muscles, particularly those that help us with keeping good posture. Weight training or body weight exercises are two powerful and effective strength training options.

3. Exercises to improve flexibility, joint mobility and prevent or relieve aches and pains. How? By performing a series of static and dynamic stretching movements that are safe and effective. And that can also increase blood flow to the muscles and help produce strength.

Simple, yet so effective

Want a simple way to get initiated? Begin by adding a set of ten push ups or body weight squats at intervals during your aerobic workout. Increase the number of reps or the intensity, as your fitness level increases.

A Word of Caution

Before beginning any type of exercise program, make sure to consult with your doctor. Also, if your goal is to beef up the biceps and carve out those pecs, training this way is probably not going to help you get there. In order to increase strength and muscular bulk, try reducing the number of repetitions performed and increasing the weight to be lifted, or try increasing the intensity, when working out with hydraulic equipment or resistance bands.

Circuit training is a good way to break the monotony and avoid exercise burnout. Boiled down, this is, certainly, one way of torching the fat while having fun.

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