Circuit Training—Is It Right For You?

Circuit training is a term used to refer to a fast-paced form of weight training that offers both strength and cardiovascular benefits. You move from one type of exercise to another with little or no rest, then repeat the circuit.

The advantage to this form of exercise is that you save time. You go through a whole body routine, performing two or three sets per muscle group, in about a half hour. And since you’re constantly in motion, you can get your heart pumping, reaping some aerobic benefits.

You also burn more calories (about 8 per minute) than you would in conventional routines (5-6 calories per minute).

The downside is that you won’t build as much strength as you would with conventional routines. Because you aren’t resting between sets, your muscles don’t have time to recover, so you can’t lift as much weight.

Because circuit training represents a compromise, it is best used when you’re short of time or need a change of pace. Warning: don’t sacrifice good form for speed.

But whatever you decide to do, almost any exercise is better than none.