Circuits… Yes or No? Part 4

I have spent the last 3 blogs basically bashing circuits and outlining why I believe their are superior ways to train. So then why do we offer circuits?Simple:

• Years of fitness marketing has convinced the average person starting out in keep fit that they are best way to train
• They are a low cost way to increase fitness
• They do work…. for around 6 weeks.

In order to be successful, you need to give people what they want. In order to improve people, you must give them what they need.As far as my experience has taught me, this is where the problems arise in circuit training.

1. You only have 30-40 seconds to be able to fix someones technique before they move on to the next station
2. While you are focused on hoping one person, there are possibly another 8-12 people who need similar attention
3. The standard circuit aim is to work up a sweat, not fix underlying issues
4. The more someone does an incorrect movement pattern, the more it becomes ingrained in the mind and the harder it becomes to correct.

Throughout my years of taking these types of classes, I always had an underlying feeling that something was not right with the standard circuit model. I experimented with different layouts, always searching for the best system that not only delivers what people want, but what the need.It was only in the last year or so that I have worked out a method that delivers both.

1. Limit classes to no more than 15.
2. Keep classes short in duration
3. Keep the exercises as simple as possible and limited to the ones used most often.
4. Repeat these exercises over and over again.
5. Mobility is key!

In part 5 I will break each of the five points down and go into greater detail as to why I believe the is not only the most effective way but also the most intelligent method of running  a circuit class.