Much to my disappointment, I am back at AU and no longer on a beach in the Dominican Republic. I thought that maybe I'd get a chance to relax now that the rush to get in shape for spring break is over, but now is also the time to start getting in shape for summer. In the search for a good new work out, I have discovered circuit training.
Well, maybe "discovered" is a bit of an exaggeration. I always knew it existed, but I was recently reminded of its benefits. Circuit training combines strength exercises with aerobic exercises. Often, circuit training is done in a series - one aerobic exercise and then one strength exercise and so on. However, this doesn't mean you actually have to run around in a circle from one machine to the next.
I took a class at Jacobs Fitness Center called "Step and Sculpt," which was based on this circuit training theory. We would use the step for the aerobic portion of workout, hopping up here and squatting down there, and then we had free weights for our strength workout. What was great about this, besides the fact that it was a full body workout, was that the various exercises helped keep things exciting.
After a little while of L-steps and lunges, a break for weight lifting was welcome. It helped me catch my breath and made the routine seem faster. Circuit training is sort of like trying alternate routines, except in one compact workout. Anything that can help keep my endurance and motivation up is definitely a good thing.
Circuit training is great for your body because it allows you to work many areas. You can incorporate different moves to work out everything from your legs to your heart. The beauty of circuit training is that you can customize it to your personal needs.
If, for example, you wanted to build up your muscles, then you could use heavier weights and spend more time on the weights than on the cardio. If you are interested in toning your body, you can do the reverse. Another great aspect to circuit training is the variety of exercises you can incorporate into your workout.
In order to get into circuit training, I borrowed my friend's "TurboJam" video, which features a hyper, blonde, retired cheerleader who sometimes works out in a plaid mini-skirt, but that is another story. The video's "Fat Blaster" exercise involves bouts of high intensity exercises, creatively called "Turbos," followed by lower impact exercises. The video follows this pattern of high intensity and then low intensity exercises for a solid 45 minutes.
By the end of the video, I not only had a strong disdain for overactive pep, but I also worked up a serious sweat. I was encouraged by the lady on my television screen, who told me I had done a good job! Even if I am not convinced that she actually knows this, because clearly she didn't see my 10 minute water break, I could definitely feel the burn.
So, if you are looking for an excellent, customized workout, I would definitely recommend trying circuit training. It is a great way to work out your whole body without a lot of equipment. As for me, I will continue to strive for my beach-fit body with the endless support of my own personal "TurboJam" cheerleader.
