The Power of Circuit Training for Conditioning

Some workouts can be so tedious and boring that they just seem to drag on forever. It can be a struggle to see results from certain routines. Ever thought about testing out circuit style training? It can be a game-changing approach that combines strength training and cardio for a full-body workout.

What is Circuit Training?

Circuit training involves a series of exercises performed in rapid succession, with minimal rest between each station or moving from one exercise to the next without stopping. This particular style has the ability to push your body to its limits, challenging your cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility. By incorporating various exercises into a single circuit, you'll engage multiple muscle groups, boost metabolism, and burn fat. Not to mention you can cut time down and get more done. The amount of exercises vary and depending on their difficulty and rep scheme. My personal choice is around 5-9.

What Are The Benefits?

- Time-Efficient*: Circuit training is perfect for those with busy schedules. By combining strength training and cardio, you can get some crazy stuff done in a shorter amount of time. While most would do things up to an hour, a circuit workout can be done within 15-30 minutes depending on what you do. My longest circuit ever was about 45 minutes without taking a rest in between circuits. 

- Improved Cardiovascular Fitness*: Circuit training pushes your heart rate up and down, improving cardiovascular health and increasing endurance. While fitness levels vary and the amount of rounds you do, training this way has it's perks in reaching a good level of cardio. 

- Increased Strength and Muscle Mass*: Resistance exercises in circuit training help build strength and muscle mass. 

- Weight Loss*: Circuit training is an effective way to burn calories and aid in weight loss. Fat Loss as well because with a calorie deficit type eating plan, it can help reach a high metabolic rate.

- Improved Coordination and Agility*: Circuit training incorporates various exercises that challenge your coordination and agility. Moving from one move to another while able to stay balanced and move without risking serious injury is the bonus on top a cherry sundae. 

A Few Ideas To Get You Going

DopamineO Band Training (10% OFF code POWERANDMIGHT)

10 Chest Flys

10 Rows

10 Squats

10 Ski Jumps

10 Hook Punches

5-10 Rounds (Rest 1-5 Minutes Between Circuits Depending On Level)

Bodyweight Circuit

20 Step Ups or Hindu Squats

20 Punches

10 Split Lunges

10 Push Ups

20 Shoulder Taps

10 Mountain Climbers

10 Leg Raises

10 2-Punch Sit-Ups

10 Russian Twists

5-10 Rounds (Rest 2-5 Minutes Between Circuits Depending On Level)

Beginner Dumbbell Circuit

10 Squats

5 Calf Raises

10 Alternating Curls

10 Shoulder Presses

3-5 Rounds (Rest 1-3 Minutes Between Circuits)

A Few Tips For Effective Circuit Training

1. Start slow*: Begin with shorter circuits and gradually increase duration and intensity. 

2. Warm up*: Always warm up before starting a circuit training workout. A good few minutes of joint loosening and/or stretching is really it. I like to do a quick DDP Yoga routine to get things flowing.

3. Focus on form*: Prioritize proper form and technique over speed and reps. Pace yourself. Move too fast, it'll bite you in the ass. Respect the training and make it a quality session.

4. Mix it up*: Vary your circuit training workouts to avoid plateaus and prevent overuse injuries. Do shorter circuits from time to time or cut reps in half at your next session. You can also also do exercises that have less impact and help you keep the blood flowing but not having to go so hard.

5. Rest and recover*: Allow adequate rest and recovery time between circuit training sessions. Do lighter forms of training like walking or going for a swim. It's important to stay active but you don't need to go to extremes every fucking time LOL.

Get Your Ass going with Circuit Training

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, circuit training can help you achieve your fitness goals. With its time-efficient and versatile approach, circuits are an excellent addition to any workout routine. So why wait? Give circuit training a try today and unleash your full potential. For free info on this style of training check out darebee.com. More than 2500 Workouts for any level of trainees. Be amazingly awesome. 

Micro Workouts For More Efficient Training And Time Friendly Options

Time isn't always our friend and because of certain obligations we have in our lives, we have to get things done and feel like it's never enough. It can be stressful doing many things like making sure the bills are paid, are the kids happy and fed, is the house clean, need to pick up the groceries, got this and that appointment, am I going to make it to that meeting on time, I need to get my kid to practice, need to get dinner ready. At some point, either someone has done all of these or at least 3 of them. 

Even when we try to focus on ourselves, it can be stressful too; do I look ok, is my ass too big for this dress, need to get to Yoga class (or wherever you choose to train at), I have to be restrictive about my eating or I won't lose weight, am I eating enough to put on muscle, I need to workout longer but will that take away my time from everyone else? It's that rush, rush, rush and taking on so many priorities, we often forget that there are 24 hours and yes there are things to prioritize, but also it's not good to try to sprint during a whole marathon either. 

Getting some form of exercise in doesn't have to be stressful or complicated like we make so many other things. Sometimes, just a few minutes is all we get but we can also make them count. Micro Workouts have been around a long time but what really is the term Micro Workouts? In a nutshell, it's the idea of doing exercise for a short period of time that can range from a few seconds to like an open window of 15 minutes. It's the concept of using the time you can use to get something going and with the intent of being efficient and utilizing intensity. There's the Tabata concept where you do 20 seconds of hard exercise with 10 seconds rest for 8 rounds (4 minutes all together). Another great one is a favorite where you take two exercises and go back and forth with them as a superset for say like 10 minutes with little to no rest. That might be your workout for the entire day which is great, so don't feel bad because you can't exercise for an hour straight or longer like the magazines and general fitness ideals tell you.

 One workout I did the other day was part of what I'm learning about Suspension Calisthenics and molding the superset concept and making it intense but not impossible to do. If you're into Suspension Training, this is a quick one that doesn't take up a lot of time and targets your core muscles like crazy...

Do 6 Knee Pull-Ins Followed by 16 Mountain Climbers (8 each side) for 3 sets resting as needed in between sets. You can add another set of exercises if you wish like I did or just do that. It shouldn't take more than 10 minutes depending on your rest periods. My add on to it was another superset of Suspension Curls & Rows doing 10 each for 3 sets. That workout alone was an ass kicker. For that first superset of the knee pull ins and climbers can be better explained here...I just did the Knee Tuck version without the seesaw move as you'll see. 

Another great Micro Workout is a great Tabata Style of Isometrics focused on the Abs. It involves 4 exercises (In reality only three cause one of them involves side planks for each side) that you do 2 rounds of for 20 on and 10 off for 4 total minutes. You will feel it and not one exercise involves crunches or a sit-up. The workout can be seen here...

You can just use your bodyweight for things like push-ups, squats, lunges, step ups, carrying a heavy bag, animal style movements, you can use light dumbbells if you want, it can even be a sprint session. Don't be afraid to use the time you need to get the job done. You won't always have an hour to get some training in. If you have little ones, use their nap time to get some exercise in. Take the time during commercials of your favorite show to get some blood pumping (this was a favorite for athletes such as Herschel Walker & Rickey Henderson) or doing a few squats or lunges while the gas is being pumped into your car, there are so many ways to do Micro Workouts it's ridiculous. 

Find the strategies that work for you. To learn about this training concept check out the book Micro Workouts by Matt Schifferle of Red Delta Project. Be strong, use your time wisely and be amazingly awesome.