Work it with a circuit

When it comes to working out, I’m quite the loner: I gravitate towards individual exercises like running and tennis.  With the exception of spinning and body pump, there are very few exercise classes that actually leave me feeling like it was time well spent.  After Thursday’s session, another one I can add to my list is circuits.

Circuit training is ‘the use of high intensity aerobic exercises combined with weight training’. It involves a combination of exercises which are performed consecutively, leaving time for little or no rest.   After warming up with about 10 minutes of running/sprinting around the room, we each went to a different station (there were about 10-15).  The stations included exercises like burpees, knee alternatives, squat jumps, shoulder presses, bicep curls, skipping, crunches, bench jumps and so forth.  After one minute, we either rotated to the next station or sprinted around the room.

What I loved about the class:

• Quick & constant changing nature of the class left no room for boredom or clock-watching…ideal for those with ADD 😉
• Easy to follow, and can be completed according to various fitness levels
• Although each station was completed individually, the presence of other exercisers and the instructor were extremely motivating
• Very even, all-round workout
• Time efficient: provides a weight bearing and cardio workout in one session
• Can be personalized: for example one guy who had a knee injury was given alternate exercises to complete instead of those which may put strain on his knee
• My heart rate remained elevated throughout

Would I do it again?
Schedule-permitting yes, but not as my only means of strength training.  For strength gains and building muscular mass, I would supplement it with an additional body pump class or free weights session at some other point during the week.

What new exercise/class have you tried recently?