When it comes to fitness, we all get stuck in a workout groove, which isn’t necessarily bad. A groove could be something like, “I work on legs on Monday and chest and back on Tuesday or I do push movements on certain days and pull movements on others” Whatever your groove is, how do you know it is the best for you? The answer is RESULTS! Whether you workout for stress relief, for lower cholesterol, or to just get in shape, there needs to be an end goal to your fitness plan. Otherwise, why do it?
Exercise Groove
We wanted to offer some insight on how circuit training can be your exercise groove. When putting together a circuit training style fitness plan, one has an infinite number of exercises that can be set together sequentially and performed for a various number of repetitions. This type of training style allows for a wide array of exercises to be performed together and creates engagement and interest, which is VERY important in exercise program retention.
We are going to put some of the guessing aside and create a simple, yet effective total body circuit training routine. We use a mix of explosive, strength, and endurance exercises in order to burn the maximum amount of calories. These exercises are safe and effective, and don’t worry, there will be modifications for most exercises. For most looking for an exercise program out there, the goal is usually weight loss. With that said, these circuit training programs ALONE will not achieve that goal. Diet plays a HUGE role in shedding those unwanted pounds, but that’s another topic for another time.
Exercises Worth Doing
As we mentioned before, there are many ways to lose weight in an exercise routine. In the list below, we go over the different benefits that come with the attached circuit training program.
- Waiter’s Carry, High Side Plank Twist Reach, and Bear Crawl all strengthen abdomen, gluteals, and lower back. These muscles are some of the largest in our body and will elevate the heart rate and increase our metabolic burn rate. Strengthening these muscles will also support your spine and pelvis as an added bonus.
- Forward Squat Jump/Reverse Squat Jump and Jump Lunge are explosive exercises that will maintain muscular tone and durability.
- We added some endurance to increase the intensity of the workout. Quick Jump to Burpee and Mountain Climbers will make you sweat, losing some water weight and increasing the heart rate even further.
Aside from losing weight, this circuit style will maintain engagement with its variety of exercises. Watch the video below and try this circuit out yourself!
3 Times Through
- Waiter’s Carry 10-12 Steps Each Way
- Forward Squat Jump/Reverse Squat Jump 10-12 Jumps Each Way (20-24 Jumps)
- High Side Plank Twist Reach 10-12 Reps Each Side
- Jump Lunge 20 Jumps
- Bear Crawl 10-12 Reps Each Side
- Quick Jump to Burpee 10-12 Reps
- Curl and Press 10-12 Reps
- Mountain Climber 30 Secs