Circuit Training

Carrot1971

My local gym has a 30 minute express circuit training routine (much like Curves). You use each piece of equipment for about 60 seconds then break for 5-10 seconds (to wipe it down) and do 30-45 seconds of cardio. Repeat for 30 minutes. So during the 60 seconds would you recommend doing more reps at a lower weight or go with as much weight as you can handle and push yourself? I've always been confused about hi-reps/low weight or vice versa. There is so much written about both ways.

ahamm002

My local gym has a 30 minute express circuit training routine (much like Curves). You use each piece of equipment for about 60 seconds then break for 5-10 seconds (to wipe it down) and do 30-45 seconds of cardio. Repeat for 30 minutes. So during the 60 seconds would you recommend doing more reps at a lower weight or go with as much weight as you can handle and push yourself? I've always been confused about hi-reps/low weight or vice versa. There is so much written about both ways.

In general, heavier is better (go heavy or go home!). 60 seconds isn't that long for the exercise. Aim for a weight where you can do 6-8 reps, but make sure to feel the negatives. So you should take about 4 seconds on the negatives (eccentric) portion of the exercise.

carterjerm

I was told by trainer to do low wieghts high reps. When I asked her about not being out of breath she said then up the wieght a little until you find a spot where you are working hard. If you work out with heavy wieght you will add muscle mass and therefore not lose as much wieght as muscle mass wieghs more.

I would stick to lower wieght high reps.

therealangd

If you work out with heavy wieght you will add muscle mass and therefore not lose as much wieght as muscle mass wieghs more.

ACK!!! I'm not going to touch that with a 50lb weight.

Use as much weight as possible so that at the end of 10 to 12 reps your muscle is exhausted. Or 6-8 if that's what you want to do. You need to exhaust the muscle.

rileysowner

I was told by trainer to do low wieghts high reps. When I asked her about not being out of breath she said then up the wieght a little until you find a spot where you are working hard. If you work out with heavy wieght you will add muscle mass and therefore not lose as much wieght as muscle mass wieghs more.

I would stick to lower wieght high reps.

Your trainer needs to be educated properly. To put on significant muscle in a calorie deficit is very difficult, even more so for a man. Add to that the fact that even if you build muscle, it will not an amount significant enough to slow down your weight loss. For that matter muscle is much more dense than fat and burns more calories than fat so increasing it (if you could) would slightly increase your fat loss. Ultimately the goal is not "weight" loss it is "fat" loss. Practically that means heavier weight and lower reps.

ahamm002

I was told by trainer to do low wieghts high reps. When I asked her about not being out of breath she said then up the wieght a little until you find a spot where you are working hard. If you work out with heavy wieght you will add muscle mass and therefore not lose as much wieght as muscle mass wieghs more.

I would stick to lower wieght high reps.

Building muscle is a good thing and it will help the OP burn more fat in the long run. Your trainer's logical reasoning is not good. Furthermore, it's actually very hard to put on much muscle mass. You really don't have to worry about bulking up without trying to.

Carrot1971

Thanks everyone. I will try to do higher weight tonight.