Los Angeles Gym Instructors Answer Your FAQs about Circuit Training, PART 2

Welcome to the second installment of this four-part article series on circuit training; a form of exercise that is taking LosAngeles Gyms by storm. In Part 1, we took a look at what circuit training is and how it differs from interval training; another exercise system it is commonly confused with. We still have many questions for our personal trainers, so let’s get started!

Just to briefly recap what we discussed in Part 1: circuit training is a form of exercise that, every one minute, sees you alternating between cardiovascular and weight (resistance) training. Now we want to know why. What’s the point of this kind of gym training?

Answer: “This alternating between cardiovascular and resistance training is really the secret to the success behind circuit training as an excellent way to get fit and lose weight,” say Los Angeles gym instructors. “In order to really understand how it works, you need to come to grips with the underlying biology. Your body has two different energy expenditure modes or settings. The one is reserved for short bursts of activity and offers lots of power and the other is reserved for steady, repetitive motions like jogging. So the first is engaged when you lift weights and perform the resistance exercises in the circuit, while the second is engaged when you get on the treadmill or bicycle and do your minute of cardio.”

“By rapidly switching between resistance and cardiovascular exercise, you prevent your body from comfortably slipping in to a conservative energy expenditure mode and this forces your body to burn calories like crazy,” explain instructors for Gyms in Los Angeles. “You see, when you work out, the last thing you want is for your body to burn calories conservatively. No, you want your body to TORCH those calories. That’s what helps you lose fat and stay trim. In fact, circuit training combined with interval training can help you burn up to 500% more calories than any other form gym exercise. THAT’S why it’s so effective!”

Doesn’t this also mean that your clients find themselves exhausted after a session?

Answer: “We don’t find our clients to be any more exhausted than they’d be after a normal gym session, even though they’re burning way more calories. In fact, many return home or to work feeling greatly energized and motivated! This is because they’re not plodding away on the treadmill for 30 minutes, getting horribly bored in the process. Rather, we have our clients engaged in a fast-paced and intensive group class. Every member gets the individualized attention, encouragement and advice they need to get the most out of their circuit training. The only exhaustion you’ll feel is the healthy kind that’ll enable you to get an excellent night’s sleep!”

How long is the average circuit training class?

 

Answer: “All of our circuit training classes are a neat one hour long. That’s yet another great benefit of this mode of exercise,” say Los Angeles gym instructors. “You’re getting such a fantastic whole-body workout, that one hour is totally sufficient. So many people waste an hour-and-a-half or even two hours trying to get a decent workout and keep their body in peak physical condition, when circuit training can get you there in just one hour.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more about Circuit Training and how it works to provide Los Angeles residents with an incredible work out, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

 

 

Los Angeles Personal Trainers Answer Your FAQs about Circuit Training, PART 1

The desire to be fit and trim is something we all have to some certain degree. You can’t argue with atavistic instinct and our inner caveman tells us that the fitter and the stronger we our, the better our chances of survival will be. Okay, so surviving the modern concrete jungle may require a completely different skill set to our ancient counterparts, and yet fitness is still just as important. Exercise is fundamental for good health, a healthy self-esteem and it’s also a great stress buster!

One of the most exciting and popular forms of exercise today is circuit training and when you consider its many benefits and efficacy over the traditional plodding for 30 minutes on the treadmill, it’s no surprise why. In this four-part article series, PersonalTrainer Los Angeles speak to us about their favorite exercise system – circuit training – and explain how it works and just why it’s so beneficial to their clients.

So, let’s begin!

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us today! We know that a lot of Los Angeles residents want to hear – straight from the horse’s mouth – about the most effective system for fitness and weight loss. Can you start by explaining to us what circuit training is?

Answer: “Sure! Circuit training is a method of exercise that requires you to zigzag between cardiovascular training and resistance training. You’ll spend one minute on the treadmill or bicycle (cardiovascular) and then one minute on the circuit (resistance training). The circuit itself consists of a series of gym equipment, with each station focusing on working out, strengthening and flexing a different set of muscles,” explain Los Angeles personal trainers. “By the end of the circuit, you will have exercised every major and minor muscle group in the body and you will have gotten a great cardiovascular workout, too.”

So, you spend one minute doing cardio, and then one minute doing resistance training. What kind of gym equipment does the circuit consist of?

Answer: “That’s exactly right. If you’ve ever been to a Gyms in Los Angeles before, and most Los Angeles residents have, then you will be familiar with most of the resistance equipment we use in circuit training. Each machine in the series focuses on working out a different muscle group, and they’re generally weights of some kind or form. What changes from station to station is the group of muscles you need to flex in order to lift the weights.”

FAQ: Is interval training the same thing as circuit training?

Answer: “No, interval training is something entirely different although the concept is somewhat similar to circuit training. Interval training can only be applied to a cardiovascular workout, such as cycling or running on the treadmill,” explain Los Angeles personal trainers. “It involves changing the intensity or speed of your workout so that you’re not just doing the same thing for 20 or 30 minutes.

“For example, you may run for two minutes and then walk for five minutes on an incline. Then you’ll run again for two minutes and recover for five. The high intensity burst is interspersed by longer periods of recovery. Interval training is popular, especially amongst professional athletes because it increases strength and endurance. It’s also way more effective and engaging than a uniform treadmill jog or cycle.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about Circuit Training and how it works to provide Los Angeles residents with an incredible work out, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.