The circuit training

Circuit training is becoming an increasingly popular workout method that is often used by practicing physical education teachers and coaches in PE classes and any other sports training due to its versatility. The circuit training is designed to develop respiratory and cardio-circulatory system, to engage large muscle groups and to increase the overall fitness. Due to its high efficiency competitive athletes often use it during grounding training to improve their body condition and to develop their abilities. The name comes from the practice which arranges the exercises in a circle where they are carried out for a specific period of time, in a specific sequence, that is, they progress round a circle, without a rest.

The advantage of circuit training is that it is very time-efficient training method, it highly develops motor skills and last but not least, people of different body condition can simultaneously carry it out.

It can be carried out using one’s own body weight, but it can be made more interesting and intensive when using such tools as bean bag, hand-held dumbbells, medicine ball, box or wall bars.

The circuit training stations can include different types of exercise carried out at predetermined stations and for a specified period, depending on the exercise and on physical fitness.

If we complete the tasks at the stations, that is, we complete the round, then we can either repeat the previous exercises in the new round or new exercises follow.

The number of rounds dependents on the number of exercises included in a round. The number of rounds can progressively increase according to previous experience. Depending on fitness, 1-3 minutes’ rest can be used between the rounds. It is advisable that this time be filled with stretching exercises.

The exercises should be continuously changed and made more difficult because the organism adapts very quickly. We can make the training more difficult by having more exercises to carry out, more rounds, or we may use bigger weights and allow less rest time. When choosing the type of circuit training we should take into account what ability/skill we want to develop.

Types of circuit training: