What's wrong with circuit training?

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.

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.

The best exercise is the one you will enjoy doing and will do regularly.

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?

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...

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.

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.

In that case I agree with you, 30-40 mins of compound exercises would be far more beneficial!

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.

Just to clarify, is your opinion of the usefulness of the sort of circuit training I described different than the circuit training you employ?

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.

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.

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.

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....

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

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
burpees