Circuit Training—Is It Right for You?

Circuit training is a fast-paced form of weight training that offers both strength and cardiovascular benefits. You move from one type of exercise to another with little or no rest, then repeat the circuit.

The advantage of this form of exercise is that you save time. You complete a whole-body routine by performing two or three sets per muscle group in about a half-hour. And since you’re constantly in motion, you can get your heart pumping and reap some aerobic benefits.

You also burn more calories (about eight per minute) than you would with conventional routines (five to six calories per minute).

The downside is that you won’t build as much strength as you would with conventional routines. Because you aren’t resting between sets, your muscles don’t have time to recover, so you can’t lift as much weight.

Because circuit training represents a compromise, it is best used when you are short of time or need a change of pace. But heed this warning: don’t sacrifice good form for speed.

Whatever you decide to do, almost any exercise is better than no exercise.