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There are so many benefits to circuit training; it is hard to know where to begin! The most obvious advantage of circuit training is that it keeps your heart rate elevated the entire time, with short bouts of rest in between. You are in a state of constant activity, which allows your body to burn more fat while also increasing muscle tone. The goal should be to reach your maximum heart rate during each set, meaning you are either using heavy enough weights or doing more reps to achieve that. During periods of rest, you should let your heart rate drop to about 70-80% of maximum and then it is time to begin your next set. Your rest should only be about 30-60 seconds in between sets, to achieve optimum circuit training results.

The next best reason for this type of training is that you can get more done in less time. Since you are in a continuous state of motion, with very little rest in between, you will find your workouts take about half the time they normally would. Traditional weight lifting does not provide this benefit. That type of workout teaches you to rest for at least 2-3 minutes in between sets, which can make your workouts last forever. Plus, your heart rate slows down to its resting rate in between each set so you are not getting the cardiovascular benefit that you would from circuit training.

Circuit training programs can also be customized according to what you are trying to accomplish. If you are trying to build muscle, you should concentrate on working out with heavier weights, doing fewer reps. If you are trying to tone your muscle but not necessarily get bigger, you should concentrate on using lighter weights and doing more reps. Regardless of your ending goal, all of your exercises should be done in a slow and controlled manner, taking extra caution that your form is also correct. Using incorrect form is a waste of time and can very easily lead to injuries, not to mention it will never result in achieving your fitness goals. Sometimes people tend to relate circuit training to fast and quick, which it is; however, that doesn't mean you shouldn't take the time to be sure you are doing things correctly.

If you want to enhance your circuit training experience even more, you could add in a minute of cardiovascular activity between each set. There are several options for doing this, like jumping rope or doing jumping jacks anything that gets the blood flowing even more will work. Incorporating cardio in between sets will enable your body to burn even more calories; therefore, burning more fat! You would typically do your set of weights, then immediately do the cardio, then take your 30-60 second rest before moving on to your next set.

For many reasons, I feel that circuit training is the best form of exercise there is. The sheer fact that you don't have to spend as much time in the gym is enough for me! However, the cardiovascular benefits are also very important. It is nice to be able to incorporate cardio throughout the workout so when you are done, you are done! Otherwise, you find you get done working out only to have to run or walk on the treadmill for additional time to achieve your maximum heart rate. I am all for less is more and I think you will be to!

Learn more about this author, Niki Lyn.
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