What's wrong with circuit training?
RllyGudTweetr
Posts: 2,019 Member
I see a lot of negativity around here toward circuit training as an exercise choice. Could some of you knowledgeable folks clarify why circuit training is a bad option, for those who enjoy it, or at least where the negativity comes from?
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Replies
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I too would be interested to hear negative comments from those who have actually participated in circuit training.
I'd bet though that most negative feedback would come from those who have never done it.0 -
No negativity here, most of my exercise is based around circuit training. There is a school of thought that thinks lifting should be done traditionally i.e. with no cardio element involved, but I prefer circuits personally.0
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These are the people I like to call workout snobs. Just ignore negativity when it comes to exercise and do what you like. Everyone has an opinion and most of the time it's based on some stupid broscience theory.0
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Until recently most of my cardio was circuit training. It's great, I have no idea why people might have a problem with it other than...pushups are hard?0
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The best exercise is the one you will enjoy doing and will do regularly.0
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If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)0 -
If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)
What does circuit training have to do with isolation machines?0 -
The best exercise is the one you will enjoy doing and will do regularly.
This ^^^0 -
I too would be interested to hear negative comments from those who have actually participated in circuit training.
I'd bet though that most negative feedback would come from those who have never done it.
I'm interested as well. Circuit training seems to be way more effective for me. Hmmm...0 -
These are the people I like to call workout snobs. Just ignore negativity when it comes to exercise and do what you like. Everyone has an opinion and most of the time it's based on some stupid broscience theory.
"BROSCIENCE" LOL!! :laugh:
That's my Word of the Day!0 -
Some gyms, such as the Gold's where I was briefly a member long ago, have a bunch of iso machines arranged in a timed circuit for circuit training. When the music changes, you "stop and wipe off machines," then go to the next one, completing between one and three revolutions around the circuit (according to the trainer I talked to) for your workout.If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)
What does circuit training have to do with isolation machines?
EDITED out a redundancy.0 -
Oh I seeeeee. My circuit training is completely different - always compound exercises, always kettlebells or free weights, always with a plyometric element in between.
A good mainstream example would be the Men's Health Spartacus workout, but I generally do tabata kettlebell routines using the kb compound lifts - snatches, swings, clean and press, high pulls etc.0 -
If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)
What does circuit training have to do with isolation machines?
Circuit training can be done with any type of exercise or exercise machine; the way I'm most familiar with it/see people doing it is going from muscle isolation machine to muscle isolation machine, which for me, would not be beneficial for the amount of time I am doing it.
Of course, you can do circuit training without those machines. That's just the way I'm used to seeing people do circuit training. If you've designed a circuit training program that helps you reach your fitness goals and that you enjoy doing, go for it. Circuit training is just not something I personally enjoy or would do because I don't think it is the right exercise choice for me.0 -
Oh I seeeeee. My circuit training is completely different - always compound exercises, always kettlebells or free weights, always with a plyometric element in between.
A good mainstream example would be the Men's Health Spartacus workout, but I generally do tabata kettlebell routines using the kb compound lifts - snatches, swings, clean and press, high pulls etc.
Oh, see that sounds fun! I would totally try that. That's just not the kind of circuit training I'm used to people seeing (and places like Curves definitely don't seem to emphasize compound moves like that!)0 -
That's fair enough, I'd never heard of these isolation circuits hence my question, but then I work out at home so I don't see how other people choose to work out.0
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Just to clarify, is your opinion of the usefulness of the sort of circuit training I described different than the circuit training you employ?Oh I seeeeee. My circuit training is completely different - always compound exercises, always kettlebells or free weights, always with a plyometric element in between.
A good mainstream example would be the Men's Health Spartacus workout, but I generally do tabata kettlebell routines using the kb compound lifts - snatches, swings, clean and press, high pulls etc.0 -
In that case I agree with you, 30-40 mins of compound exercises would be far more beneficial!0
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^^THIS^^The best exercise is the one you will enjoy doing and will do regularly.
Around here if you aren't "lifting heavy" and eating to meet your macros you're doing it wrong.
If you enjoy (or can bear) circuit training do that. You're doing your body good.0 -
Just to clarify, is your opinion of the usefulness of the sort of circuit training I described different than the circuit training you employ?Oh I seeeeee. My circuit training is completely different - always compound exercises, always kettlebells or free weights, always with a plyometric element in between.
A good mainstream example would be the Men's Health Spartacus workout, but I generally do tabata kettlebell routines using the kb compound lifts - snatches, swings, clean and press, high pulls etc.
Yes, in my opinion. Compound exercises use multiple muscle groups anyway (thus they burn more calories) and when you add in the low/no rest factor of the circuit you're getting an excellent workout in far less time that's both strength and cardio based.0 -
Nothing.0
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I've done it waaaay back in the day and had great success but you really have to know what to expect from it. If you are in the gym really trying to build then I wouldn't go that route. If you are just starting out or trying to maintain with slow gaines but keep overall fitness up then its great.
I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you are not that jerkoff at the gym that uses 1/3 of the total gym and hogs 1/2 of the free weights blocking everyone else from doing their thing so you can jump from circuit to circuit. Its just rude at that point.0 -
Each to their own definitely, as you have to enjoy what you do. I like to feel like I've really kicked my own a55 when I work out and that I couldn't have done any more in the (relatively short) time I have. Circuits give me that feeling, so I like them. That doesn't mean everyone else will though!0
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There is nothing wrong with circuit training.
It's just that for some reason around here the "lift heavy" crew is very vocal and narrow minded. Anything outside of "lift heavy" is wrong to them.0 -
If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)
What does circuit training have to do with isolation machines?
^^^ This is what I was wondering. I think some people must define Circuit training differently? Anyway... that is how I get my cardio/endurance training in along with lifting it's been a good program for me.0 -
There is nothing wrong with circuit training.
It's just that for some reason around here the "lift heavy" crew is very vocal and narrow minded. Anything outside of "lift heavy" is wrong to them.
Although one of the gods of heavy lifting programming, Bill Starr, recommends doing his 5x5 routine in a "circuit fashion". Only for equipment concerns does he suggest doing the routine one exercise at a time.
If you've got all your own equipment laid out in your own space and you're not going to piss off a bunch of other people by being an equipment hog, then there are metabolic advantages to doing a routine this way....0 -
Nothing is wrong with circuit training. Here's mine from this morning:
3 x 15:
Goblet squats (35 lb kettlebell)
Incline push ups
Curl/Press with medium intensity band
TRX squats
3 x 20
Kettlebell swings (35 lb KB)
Spiderman lunges (20 per side)
Push ups on floor
Wall slides
Abs:
Pike on TRX (10)
TRX swings (10 per side)
It's timed and fast paced so HR is always up.
Cool down and work out is done.0 -
If you enjoy it and it is working for you, I say go for it.
I don't like circuit training/muscle isolation machines because I can work my muscles more in less time using different methods (that is, a few good compound lifts for 30 min-40 min)
What does circuit training have to do with isolation machines?
^^^ This is what I was wondering. I think some people must define Circuit training differently? Anyway... that is how I get my cardio/endurance training in along with lifting it's been a good program for me.
Apparently some gyms advocate isolation circuits using machines rather than free weights.
This thread has made me look forward to my kettlebell tabata circuits tonight lol - I got a new 20kb 'bell for xmas to try out too
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Oh I seeeeee. My circuit training is completely different - always compound exercises, always kettlebells or free weights, always with a plyometric element in between.
This is similar to my circuits. I love circuit training.There are so many variations you can incorporate that it keeps things different and new. Doing this type of exercise has helped in building strength and endurance and my runs have improved significantly from circuit training.
The bottom line is to find something you enjoy. You are more likely to stick with a habit if you enjoy doing it!0 -
Nothing is wrong with circuit training. Here's mine from this morning:
3 x 15:
Goblet squats (35 lb kettlebell)
Incline push ups
Curl/Press with medium intensity band
TRX squats
3 x 20
Kettlebell swings (35 lb KB)
Spiderman lunges (20 per side)
Push ups on floor
Wall slides
Abs:
Pike on TRX (10)
TRX swings (10 per side)
It's timed and fast paced so HR is always up.
Cool down and work out is done.
Sounds good!
Tonight I'll be doing:
Kettlebell all 16kg except for 2 handed swings which will be 20kg (All tabata - 4mins of 20 secs work/10 secs rest)
Snatches l/r
2 handed swings
jumping split squats
clean and press l/r
high pulls l/r
burpees0 -
I circuit train 3x a week through boot camp and it has helped my strength, flexibility, and endurance tremendously. My instructor changes the routine each week. It never feels easy, always a challenge. I'm a 49 yo female and my gains make me feel like an athlete! I must admit that the recovery days are critical though.0
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