circuit training instead of cardio?

[the nature boy]

I've been doing some reading about doing circuit training instead of cardio, to preserve muscle and burn fat.

Anyone ever do this? Will it affect your regular workouts?

Here's an interesting article I read about it http://www.testosterone.net/articles/173melt.html

let me know what you guys think of the article and about circuit training in general. Thanks.

 

[the nature boy]

hello?

 

[rez]

although im not a guy..i think interval training/ circuit training is a great idea.

last week i took the week off from my usual routine and replaced it with a class circuit training and cardio...i started weights again this week..and still cant move from two days ago!! so...it really shocked my body...

im sure it really benefited from the change

 

[the nature boy]

could it be? a response? thank you. I'm wondering how it'll affect my regular workouts.

 

[CytoMel]

That meltdown training is an awesome program. I swear it will work. I am a powerlifter but I used that for about four weeks once and I lost a few notches around my belt without really dieting also my muscles got a little bit bigger at the same time. Hell thats the best bodybuilding program for anyone who wants to lose some flab and gain some muscle!

 

[rez]

could it be? a response? thank you. I'm wondering how it'll affect my regular workouts.

u should do what i did...i swear my workouts this week have been awsome! today i could lift heavier than 3 weeks ago! so give it ago, ide recommend you took a week off from your 'normal' routine and did this instead. Go back to your routine the next week and see/feel the difference...you'll probably improve!

 

[the nature boy]

thanks for the input people!

 

[gymtime]

Christ. You have the patience of a two-year-old!

I think that any shock to the system once in a while is a good thing. However, in the long term, circuit training isn't particularly effective. Yes, you will wear yourself out, no question. But what have you really done for yourself? You haven't lifted enough weight to really challenge your muscles and make them grow. And it's also unlikely that you've upped your heart rate consistently enough to burn calories as efficiently as regular cardio.

 

[the nature boy]

Christ. You have the patience of a two-year-old!

I think that any shock to the system once in a while is a good thing. However, in the long term, circuit training isn't particularly effective. Yes, you will wear yourself out, no question. But what have you really done for yourself? You haven't lifted enough weight to really challenge your muscles and make them grow. And it's also unlikely that you've upped your heart rate consistently enough to burn calories as efficiently as regular cardio.

ah, hank hill rears his beer belly onto my thread.

let me ask you this, do you beleive in HIT cardio? I'd say this is almost the same thing. And it's fucking brutal. I do 10 minutes of cardio, then do the meltdown training, then 5 minutes of cardio. I had to sit down after the 3rd set thingy.

because if you look at the exercises listed on the link, we're not talking about sissy machine circuits, we're talking like squats, pullups (or in my case pulldowns), bench press, and deadlifts. not too shabby.

 

[gymtime]

I do believe in HIIT cardio in it's original form, that is High Intensity Interval Training. It's taken on a lot of different meanings since it's inception. But I don't think it's comparable to circuit training, if that's what your saying.

 

[CytoMel]

ah, hank hill rears his beer belly onto my thread.

let me ask you this, do you beleive in HIT cardio? I'd say this is almost the same thing. And it's fucking brutal. I do 10 minutes of cardio, then do the meltdown training, then 5 minutes of cardio. I had to sit down after the 3rd set thingy.

because if you look at the exercises listed on the link, we're not talking about sissy machine circuits, we're talking like squats, pullups (or in my case pulldowns), bench press, and deadlifts. not too shabby.

You are right, the program will build muscle too..You are basicly doing bodybuilding style sets of 10 reps with main exercises free weight ones..I did leave a rep or two in each set cause you dont have to train to failure every set..Also they have the tempo perscriptions but I just did the program with regular spped reps with clean form, it worked anyways..It is something that will be a big shock to the system and you will need to be strong and train beyond the pain! It basicly is doing what most people would take an hour to do and you will take 15 mins! if you do it right then you will sweat a lot more than most people do during an hour of pusssy cardio!

 

[b fold the truth]

My event training counts as my circuit training/cardio...and it works wonders.

B True

 

[bignate73]

did pullups to deads to tbar rows on tuesday, all circuit style, no rest. i was sweating like a whore in confessional. all i needed was some cable rows and i was baked. 35 minutes flat, and i was outta there.

went home and slept like a baby on the couch without even wanting to take a nap.

very good techniques indeed. i am going to try to devise a similar workout for chest today.

 

[CytoMel]

My event training counts as my circuit training/cardio...and it works wonders.

B True

That strongman training is hands down the most brutal training anywhere! I trained with a strongman finalist from the Boston contest that B Fold went to recently, and it is the toughest training around! Especially the stones! I did manage to get the 290 stone up to the platform once though! Killer!

 

[OMEGA]

hello?

what can't I have a drink peace

 

[bm2k]

Also they have the tempo perscriptions but I just did the program with regular spped reps with clean form, it worked anyways...

I'm in my first week of Meltdown Training as per the T-Mag routine. The tempo listed is there for a reason - to increase the production of lactic acid. Reading the article demonstrates why this is important. Imagine your results *with* proper tempo. Admitedly, sticking to the right tempo can be pretty tough when you're close to emptying the contents of your stomach. This program is brutal.

 

[the nature boy]

I'm in my first week of Meltdown Training as per the T-Mag routine. The tempo listed is there for a reason - to increase the production of lactic acid. Reading the article demonstrates why this is important. Imagine your results *with* proper tempo. Admitedly, sticking to the right tempo can be pretty tough when you're close to emptying the contents of your stomach. This program is brutal.

damn right, it's very uncomfortable.

 

[proxy]

Yeah i rember once i lost easy 5 % of bf....but i have to tell you that if you wanna see great results you gotta go all around 23 times and at lasrt stages of your fat loss program 3 times.It takes about an hour and a half
God Bless

 

[Canadian Cobra]

Circuit training is very useful for sport specific training. It can build endurance
and a form of anerobic/aerobic capacity that's unique to this type of training.

Low/moderate intensity, long duration cardio training builds a good aerobic
base, useful for sports such as running, tennis, skiing etc.

Higher intensity, short duration cardio (HIIT) builds some aerobic capacity and
greater anerobic capacity. This is useful in short duration sports, such as sprinting
and weight training.

Cicruit training builds a capacity somewhere in between the two approaches, above.
It's useful in sports such as football, hockey, soccer, rowing etc.

All three types have can have a place in a training program, depending on your
goals and training cycle. For bodybuilding, circuits can be used to reduce bodyfat
if you keep your heart rate elevated for an adequate period of time (20+ minutes). I've also
found the increased endurance you'll gain will benefit weight training, esp when
your maxing out on a seat of heavy squats.

Throw them in occasionally for variety, a bit more frequently when cutting.