For years, I've been doing circuits since I first started doing them in the gym as a teenager which that first one ever nearly made me go to the hospital. I was about 19 at the time and experimenting different things I learned in the bodybuilding books I had like Ironman & A Bodybuilding Encyclopedia that featured workouts from the top guys that included Arnold, Lou, Franco, Boyer Coe and others. For real, I tried this circuit of weights and machines and not even halfway in, I was hyperventilating so much I rushed into the bathroom, sat down (which was a really bad idea) and nearly blacked out. For a split moment I thought I was going to die.
Didn't do another circuit after that until I was rehabbing from my accident and learned a few things based on Combat Conditioning from Matt Furey. That was my first taste of circuit training which at the time, wasn't anywhere near the level I can do now but it was an interesting experiment for me and would do it once in a blue moon.
When I learned about Darebee after years of Bodyweight Training and Conditioning, it lit a spark in me to work on them. Some circuits were easy to get through, others were a bitch and tough as hell (Those Batman & Daredevil Workouts, dear god man). At first, I'd just work into them doing the amount of circuits it tells you what level you're at. Within some time, I wanted to go even further and do 10 Rounds of a circuit and that's where I felt it gave me the best benefit. Not just the amount of rounds but to rest as little as possible if at all. I really wanted to test my conditioning and to keep the timing down. I don't believe I went more than 45 minutes doing these, kept it between 10-30 minutes.
The one thing I like about circuits is that they test you on the basics. You can do more advanced exercises or whatever reps you want to do per exercise but the basics is where things shine the brightest. The advanced stuff looks cool and they have benefit but in the long run, the basics are what make the difference. Yesterday, I did a bodyweight circuit consisting of Split Lunges, Hindu Squats, Push-Ups & Punches and that was it.
10 Split Lunges (5 Each Leg)
10 Punches
20 Hindu Squats
10 Punches
5 Push-ups
10 Punches
5 Push-ups
10 Rounds with the only rest in between circuits is marking it off. Total was 100 Split Lunges, 300 Punches, 200 Hindu Squats and 100 Push-ups. Worked up a pretty good sweat. Wasn't too difficult but it wasn't easy to do either. It was great, "warming up" beforehand doing Neck Mobility & Joint Loosening Training. A workout that really kicks off the day and having that surge of strength running all around you. It was basic, simple and can be done anywhere.
Circuits provide some good testing of mental toughness as well because you're going from one exercise to the next without a break and to stay focused while having the best form possible and learning how to pace yourself. Let the speed come naturally but at the same time, don't be slacking off either.
Come check out Darebee.com and see which workouts would work for you. You can modify them if you wish to make an exercise variation easier or harder. Mainly bodyweight style so many of these can be done anywhere you can do them in. You are your own gym, you are the equipment that has all sorts of things at your disposal. Go kill it and be Amazingly Awesome.
No comments:
Post a Comment