Harman Patil (Editor)

Circuit training

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Circuit training is a form of body conditioning or resistance training using high-intensity aerobics. It targets strength building and muscular endurance. An exercise "circuit" is one completion of all prescribed exercises in the program. When one circuit is complete, one begins the first exercise again for the next circuit. Traditionally, the time between exercises in circuit training is short, often with rapid movement to the next exercise.

Contents

The program was developed by R.E. Morgan and G.T. Anderson in 1953 at the University of Leeds in England.

Typical activities in a circuit training

A circuit should work each section of the body individually. Typical activities include:

Upper-body

  • Squat ups
  • Bench dips
  • Back extensions
  • Medicine ball chest pass
  • Bench lift
  • Inclined press up
  • Core & trunk

  • Sit ups (lower abdominal)
  • Stomach crunch (upper abdominal)
  • Back extension chest raise
  • Lower-body

  • Squat jumps
  • Compass jumps
  • Astride jumps
  • Step ups
  • Shuttle runs
  • Hopping shuttles
  • Bench squat
  • Total-body

  • Burpees
  • Treadmills
  • Squat thrusts
  • Skipping
  • Jogging
  • Effects of circuit training

    Studies at Baylor University and The Cooper Institute show that circuit training is the most time efficient way to enhance cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance. Studies show that circuit training helps women to achieve their goals and maintain them longer than other forms of exercise or diet.

    Morgan and Anderson claim:

    One advantage is that reduced station times will encourage the participants to lift heavier weights, which means they can achieve overload with smaller number of repetitions: typically in the range of 25 to 50 depending on their training goals.

    References

    Circuit training Wikipedia