What is the difference???

8turboturtle8

This may be common sense...but sometimes common sense escapes me...that being said, What is the difference between weight training and circuit training. The 24 Hour Fitness I go to at lunch has an "Express Workout" where you work on a variety of machines and move station to station quickly and I am trying to figure out how to enter that. I wouldn't think anything of it but it seems the numbers burned are quite different. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

amymeenieminymo

if it is similar to what my gym has, I would consider weight training to be strictly using weights or resistance machines. So you're working on your strength and muscles rather than cardio. I would consider circuit training to be the express workout which mixes weight training and cardio.

Using an HRM is really the best way to go because you'll know for certain how much you're burning. But if you want to go off my stats, that could at least give you a decent idea. I do one rotation around which is 30 minutes...I can generally do 2 sets of 12 on each machine (depending on the machine, sometimes that second set is more like 8-10 reps) and I do a quick step up and down on the block between machines. I step first with my left leg 15 times, then 15 on my right then I can usually squeeze in 7-9 steps alternating legs before it's time to switch. That being said I am 30, 5'2 and 168 pounds. I generally burn around 120 calories doing this.

So you may burn around that, or slightly more or less depending on your activity, height and weight.

8turboturtle8

if it is similar to what my gym has, I would consider weight training to be strictly using weights or resistance machines. So you're working on your strength and muscles rather than cardio. I would consider circuit training to be the express workout which mixes weight training and cardio.

Using an HRM is really the best way to go because you'll know for certain how much you're burning. But if you want to go off my stats, that could at least give you a decent idea. I do one rotation around which is 30 minutes...I can generally do 2 sets of 12 on each machine (depending on the machine, sometimes that second set is more like 8-10 reps) and I do a quick step up and down on the block between machines. I step first with my left leg 15 times, then 15 on my right then I can usually squeeze in 7-9 steps alternating legs before it's time to switch. That being said I am 30, 5'2 and 168 pounds. I generally burn around 120 calories doing this.

So you may burn around that, or slightly more or less depending on your activity, height and weight.

Thank you so much!!! This is very helpful. And I think I may have to spoil myself and get a HRM.

Azdak

"Weight training" is a term commonly used for a "traditional" type of strength workout. You can use machines or free weights or cable machines. You do a certain number of repetitions to "failure" (i.e. you cannot complete another rep with good form). That is called a "set". After a recovery period, you can do additional sets. There are many different ways to structure these workouts, depending on your current ability and your goals. Examples: 3 set of bench press, 8-12 repetitions, 1 min recovery between sets.

Circuit training traditionally has described a faster-paced workout, where one moves from station to station with little or no rest in between. Usually, the workout consists of one trip around the "circuit" or multiply times, depending on the structure.

Originally, "circuit training" referred to alternating strength and cardio stations. One would do a set amount of time on a strength station, say 45-60 sec, then move to a simple cardio station--bike, steps, jump rope--and do a cardio interval of the same length. Again, there are many ways to structure this type of circuit.

The current trend is for circuits to consist more of "anaerobic" stations and center more around what is called "metabolic" training. The research behind this suggests that doing a series of high-intensity intervals contributes to a greater "afterburn" effect and greater fat loss over time. An example of this would be the "spartacus" workout on Men's Health, or some of the "crossfit" workouts.

Because of the tempo and speed of circuit training workouts, resistance levels will be much lower than one would find with "weight training".

Traditional circuit training was intended to be a time-efficient workout that acknowledged some compromises in overall training. One would see increases in aerobic fitness and muscle strength levels, but not to the same degree as those following dedicated cardio or strength programs. The main advantages were that is was time-efficient and many people found the variety and faster pace more enjoyable than a longer, steady-state workout.

The current "metabolic" type workouts claim to burn fat faster than traditional cardio in about half the time. There is some research that indicates that, even without a cardio component, users can achieve some gains in cardiovascular fitness. I think there still needs to be more research in these areas. Right now, the benefits are seen in workouts that are pretty strenuous. A lot of people cannot push themselves that hard. I would expect that doing this type of workout at less than an all-out effort would dilute the benefits considerably. A lot of research done has also used relatively small sample sizes, so, again, it remains to be seen whether these benefits are applicable across a diverse range of ages.

Hopefully, this gives you some insight. I would say the most important thing about circuit training is that, if you want to get the most out it, you have to be prepared to push yourself pretty hard. I would also build in some "recovery weeks" where you do some lower-intensity, longer endurance cardio workouts and maybe even some traditional weight training as well.

8turboturtle8

"Weight training" is a term commonly used for a "traditional" type of strength workout. You can use machines or free weights or cable machines. You do a certain number of repetitions to "failure" (i.e. you cannot complete another rep with good form). That is called a "set". After a recovery period, you can do additional sets. There are many different ways to structure these workouts, depending on your current ability and your goals. Examples: 3 set of bench press, 8-12 repetitions, 1 min recovery between sets.

Circuit training traditionally has described a faster-paced workout, where one moves from station to station with little or no rest in between. Usually, the workout consists of one trip around the "circuit" or multiply times, depending on the structure.

Originally, "circuit training" referred to alternating strength and cardio stations. One would do a set amount of time on a strength station, say 45-60 sec, then move to a simple cardio station--bike, steps, jump rope--and do a cardio interval of the same length. Again, there are many ways to structure this type of circuit.

The current trend is for circuits to consist more of "anaerobic" stations and center more around what is called "metabolic" training. The research behind this suggests that doing a series of high-intensity intervals contributes to a greater "afterburn" effect and greater fat loss over time. An example of this would be the "spartacus" workout on Men's Health, or some of the "crossfit" workouts.

Because of the tempo and speed of circuit training workouts, resistance levels will be much lower than one would find with "weight training".

Traditional circuit training was intended to be a time-efficient workout that acknowledged some compromises in overall training. One would see increases in aerobic fitness and muscle strength levels, but not to the same degree as those following dedicated cardio or strength programs. The main advantages were that is was time-efficient and many people found the variety and faster pace more enjoyable than a longer, steady-state workout.

The current "metabolic" type workouts claim to burn fat faster than traditional cardio in about half the time. There is some research that indicates that, even without a cardio component, users can achieve some gains in cardiovascular fitness. I think there still needs to be more research in these areas. Right now, the benefits are seen in workouts that are pretty strenuous. A lot of people cannot push themselves that hard. I would expect that doing this type of workout at less than an all-out effort would dilute the benefits considerably. A lot of research done has also used relatively small sample sizes, so, again, it remains to be seen whether these benefits are applicable across a diverse range of ages.

Hopefully, this gives you some insight. I would say the most important thing about circuit training is that, if you want to get the most out it, you have to be prepared to push yourself pretty hard. I would also build in some "recovery weeks" where you do some lower-intensity, longer endurance cardio workouts and maybe even some traditional weight training as well.

Thank you as well!!! I am learning something new today that is for sure!

amymeenieminymo

if it is similar to what my gym has, I would consider weight training to be strictly using weights or resistance machines. So you're working on your strength and muscles rather than cardio. I would consider circuit training to be the express workout which mixes weight training and cardio.

Using an HRM is really the best way to go because you'll know for certain how much you're burning. But if you want to go off my stats, that could at least give you a decent idea. I do one rotation around which is 30 minutes...I can generally do 2 sets of 12 on each machine (depending on the machine, sometimes that second set is more like 8-10 reps) and I do a quick step up and down on the block between machines. I step first with my left leg 15 times, then 15 on my right then I can usually squeeze in 7-9 steps alternating legs before it's time to switch. That being said I am 30, 5'2 and 168 pounds. I generally burn around 120 calories doing this.

So you may burn around that, or slightly more or less depending on your activity, height and weight.

Thank you so much!!! This is very helpful. And I think I may have to spoil myself and get a HRM.

If you have a Running Fit nearby, they have some good sales from time to time. I got my Polar F4 from there during a sale for 80 bucks and I love it.