Would you consider this a strength or circuit workout

davemunger

My basic workout routine is as follows:

I work in circuits of three exercises. As an example, I do

4-6 cable rotates (target abs)
4-6 Bulgarian Squats on each leg (target gluts)
4-6 dips (target shoulders / arms)

I repeat this three times, then move on to the next three exercises. The only rest is to prepare the equipment for each exercise.

This is based on some recent research suggesting this type of workout is beneficial for endurance athletes.

Just curious about the terminology for this -- would this be considered "circuit training" or "strength training"? Seems like it's fewer reps than most circuit workouts, but less rest than most strength workouts.

Huffdogg

Is the weight such that it is difficult to complete the 4-6 reps from the very first set? If so, it's oriented towards strength building. If it's only hard to complete by the last set because you're taking no rest and doing large supersets, then it's endurance-oriented circuit training.

davemunger

Is the weight such that it is difficult to complete the 4-6 reps from the very first set? If so, it's oriented towards strength building. If it's only hard to complete by the last set because you're taking no rest and doing large supersets, then it's endurance-oriented circuit training.

Hmm... yeah, it's really kind of inbetween those extremes. The first set is sometimes tough only because I'm not warmed up for that exercise. Usually the middle is the easiest. I think this might have to almost be considered a hybrid workout.

ninerbuff

My basic workout routine is as follows:

I work in circuits of three exercises. As an example, I do

4-6 cable rotates (target abs)
4-6 Bulgarian Squats on each leg (target gluts)
4-6 dips (target shoulders / arms)

I repeat this three times, then move on to the next three exercises. The only rest is to prepare the equipment for each exercise.

This is based on some recent research suggesting this type of workout is beneficial for endurance athletes.

Just curious about the terminology for this -- would this be considered "circuit training" or "strength training"? Seems like it's fewer reps than most circuit workouts, but less rest than most strength workouts.

Strength training consists of progressively increasing poundages. From what I see, it's still more of a muscular endurance training than "true" strength training regimen.

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cwolfman13

I would think it falls into the category of circuit fitness/muscular endurance resistance vs actual "strength". I know a lot of people use "strength" to mean just anything involving weights, but I've always thought of "strength" training as primarily compound lifts with low reps at 80-90% of your training max with some 1RMs thrown in there every 4-6 weeks or so.

I do something similar as you once per week and I otherwise strength train 2x weekly. I can't go 3x weekly with my actual strength training right now because it just makes my legs pretty much useless for much of anything else and I'm starting to put in a lot of miles on my bike right now...so it just doesn't work.

It is resistance work though, which is what is important.

LianaG1115

I think it's circuits

jimmmer

Doing strength training in a circuit fashion is defo possible.

If you work non-competing lifts back-to-back keep the rep range appropriate for strength and progressively overload as you adapt, then it's strength increasing.

Bill Starr advocated circuiting strength rep range barbell lifts in the 70's - I see nothing wrong with the concept.

davemunger

Thanks for the thoughtful responses, everyone. Sounds like this really is an "inbetween" workout. Seems to be effective keeping me injury-free and building my upper-body strength a bit, so I plan on keeping it up for the foreseeable future.

jimmmer

Thanks for the thoughtful responses, everyone. Sounds like this really is an "inbetween" workout. Seems to be effective keeping me injury-free and building my upper-body strength a bit, so I plan on keeping it up for the foreseeable future.

I think this is the important thing.

Obviously you're a runner, so if this gives you a bit of balance in your routine and also allows you to progress without interfering with your running, then keep at it.