thoughts on the 30 minute circuit workout at planet fitness

I just joined and took my wife along for my first workout. She is a member at Curves and has been very successful with their program. The 30 Minute circuit at PF is a very obvious direct approximation of the Curves routine. They have machines that hit all muscle groups and the cardio (stepping) between each machine is a good way to keep your heart rate going while letting your muscles recover a bit.

My wife did the 30 minute circuit and was relatively happy with it. The only complaints she had weren't really a problem with the circuit or the machines but just simply the differences between those machines and what she's used to with curves (like having to pick a weight instead of the goofy hydraulic resistance). Ultimately, I think the machines at PF are a better workout because they allow for both positive (lifting) resistance and negative (returning the weights) resistance where the Curves program does not.

Overall, I think the 30 minute circuit is a good program to get someone started. It gives you a good mix of cardio and strength training that hits all major muscle groups. My guess is the first couple times may be a little awkward until you learn what weight you need each machine set at. Just remember to focus on doing the reps slowly with good form and enough weight that you're feeling a burn before the 1:30 hits and it's time to move to the next station.

Ultimately, you're probably not going to gain a whole lot of muscle mass doing this circuit, but it will set you up nicely to advance on to using more of the machines they offer at PF and possibly eventually move on to free weights where the real building can begin.

I currently go to planet fitness and I absolutely love it! The 30 min circuit is a perfect started for weights! Its what I do!