Jess's Training and Diet Blog
by Jessica Bergenfield, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor

Circuit training involves a sequence of exercises performed back to back with little or no rest. The sequence, or circuit, is then performed to a desired number of repetitions. Because sequential exercises carried utilize different muscle groups, the body is able to actively recover from the previous exercise and move on to the next with little or no rest.

This type of training keeps the heart rate elevated throughout the entire workout, burning more calories in a limited amount of time. Circuit training provides some of the benefits of an aerobic workout and an anaerobic workout: increased muscular strength and endurance, as well as an increased cardiovascular capacity.

· Increase strength and endurance throughout your whole body
· Burn more calories and build lean muscle that continues to burn calories at rest
· Break up the monotony of cardio machines, or slow paced strength training
· Utilize dynamic exercises to increase nervous system activation, and improve balance, coordination and core strength

Example workout:

1. Burpees: Start in a push-up position. While keeping the abs tight and back straight, do one push up, jump quickly bringing your feet into a squat position then proceed to jump into the air with legs extended and land as gently as possible back into a squat position. Bring hands down to the floor and thrust feet back out into a push up position. Repeat the sequence. 10 repetitions

Watch a demonstration of the burpee in this Diet.com video:
Beginner Fat-Burning Exercise: The Burpee

2. Reverse crunch: Lie flat on the floor with you knees raised forming a 90 degree angle, thighs perpendicular to the floor. Using your abs, bring your knees to your chest, while simultaneously bringing your chin ...    Continue

1 | 2    Next Page