When it comes to maximizing the effectiveness of your home gym workout, circuit training can be a great option. This workout style has you quickly cycle through a mix of five to 10 strength training and cardiovascular exercises with minimal breaks. Circuit training allows you to complete a full workout in as little as 30 minutes and can be done with or without fitness equipment. Here's a closer look at this compact approach.

What Are the Benefits of Circuit Training?

Circuit training is a great way to avoid getting bored in your home gym. Swiftly rotating through different activities keeps you mentally engaged with the exercise, and by reducing recovery time, you’ll also burn more calories by making the workout more intense. Best of all, you can easily customize with the mix of strength and cardio exercises you want to focus on.

By targeting a wide range of muscle groups, circuit training can help you build muscle mass while also lowering your risk for a sports injury. It’s a great all-around workout option for strengthening the entire body, especially when you’re short on time.

How Can You Get the Most From This Workout Style?

Deciding on a set of exercises in advance will make your circuit training more effective. Ideally, you should include an upper-body exercise, a lower-body exercise, a compound exercise, and then cardio in each circuit. For example, your first circuit could include a sequence of shoulder presses, calf raises, mountain climbers, and jumping jacks. You can then focus on a different set of exercises for the next circuit.

Common timing options include doing as many reps as possible for 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest for each exercise, or doing all exercises for one minute each and taking a one-minute break after completing the circuit. Adjust as needed to find an option that fits your schedule and fitness level.

If you’re looking for plates, dumbbells, exercise bikes, treadmills, or other equipment to build up your home gym, check out Exercise & Leisure Equipment Co. in Cincinnati, OH. With a wide selection of cardio and strength training equipment, you’ll find everything you need to build the ultimate circuit training setup. Visit them online or call (513) 531-7777 to learn more about what they have to offer.