Does anyone lift in circuits?

[cephissus]

When I first started lifting, I did circuits... Probably because I learned from friends who had taken our schools weights class, where the teacher had to shuttle kids through a workout as quickly as possible.

I transitioned to bodybuilding style lifting a few years later, after I started reading forums, etc. and learning from guys at college.  I always preferred high rep sets -- I felt like they got my heart pounding and pump going.  However, i worried about lifting too light.

On the other hand, I never liked low rep sets.  I hated waiting around for my 'muscles to recover' even though I wasn't tired.  Its true, if I waited long enough I'd get more reps, but I almost never felt tired for more than a few seconds after a set.

I like supersets, but I still found myself waiting around too much.  Yesterday, I decided to try doing circuits of 3-4 exercises with heavy weight (5-8 reps), no rest between sets.

It was great -- heart pounding, stayed warm, felt the muscle fatigue in a reasonable number of reps, got in and out of the gym fast.  I feel I might just be suited to this type of lifting.  I rarely feel like Im capable of doing a set that requires minutes to recover from.

What about you guys?  Anyone else feel the same way?

[Donny]

When I first started lifting, I did circuits... Probably because I learned from friends who had taken our schools weights class, where the teacher had to shuttle kids through a workout as quickly as possible.

I transitioned to bodybuilding style lifting a few years later, after I started reading forums, etc. and learning from guys at college.  I always preferred high rep sets -- I felt like they got my heart pounding and pump going.  However, i worried about lifting too light.

On the other hand, I never liked low rep sets.  I hated waiting around for my 'muscles to recover' even though I wasn't tired.  Its true, if I waited long enough I'd get more reps, but I almost never felt tired for more than a few seconds after a set.

I like supersets, but I still found myself waiting around too much.  Yesterday, I decided to try doing circuits of 3-4 exercises with heavy weight (5-8 reps), no rest between sets.

It was great -- heart pounding, stayed warm, felt the muscle fatigue in a reasonable number of reps, got in and out of the gym fast.  I feel I might just be suited to this type of lifting.  I rarely feel like Im capable of doing a set that requires minutes to recover from.

What about you guys?  Anyone else feel the same way?

try PHA training, made famous by Mr America Bob Gadja...builds muscle and great fitness.
http://www.fitocracy.com/knowledge/peripheral-heart-action-pha-training/

[Mr Anabolic]

try PHA training, made famous by Mr America Bob Gadja...builds muscle and great fitness.
http://www.fitocracy.com/knowledge/peripheral-heart-action-pha-training/

Interesting.  I wonder... did Bob train like this all the time, or only for a contest prep?

[Grape Ape]

When I first started lifting, I did circuits... Probably because I learned from friends who had taken our schools weights class, where the teacher had to shuttle kids through a workout as quickly as possible.

I transitioned to bodybuilding style lifting a few years later, after I started reading forums, etc. and learning from guys at college.  I always preferred high rep sets -- I felt like they got my heart pounding and pump going.  However, i worried about lifting too light.

On the other hand, I never liked low rep sets.  I hated waiting around for my 'muscles to recover' even though I wasn't tired.  Its true, if I waited long enough I'd get more reps, but I almost never felt tired for more than a few seconds after a set.

I like supersets, but I still found myself waiting around too much.  Yesterday, I decided to try doing circuits of 3-4 exercises with heavy weight (5-8 reps), no rest between sets.

It was great -- heart pounding, stayed warm, felt the muscle fatigue in a reasonable number of reps, got in and out of the gym fast.  I feel I might just be suited to this type of lifting.  I rarely feel like Im capable of doing a set that requires minutes to recover from.

What about you guys?  Anyone else feel the same way?

I do stuff like this all the time.  Conditioning improves greatly.   Was recently doing 5x5 giant sets with DB press / Front Squat / DL.

http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?topic=554769.0

[Knooger]

I always lift at the circus.

[Al Doggity]

I have before and wish I still could. I found that style of training to be really effective for me.  My gym is too crowded, though.

Here's a thought, though. If you transition out of circuits back, try taking shorter rests between sets. I've been doing as little as 25 second rest periods between sets lately and have been getting consistently great workouts.
I switch up btwn 5x5 heavy and 5x10 moderate and it really feels like every workout is noticeable progress.  

[local hero]

Would like to know if Falcone has added circuits?

[mazrim]

I have before and wish I still could. I found that style of training to be really effective for me.  My gym is too crowded, though.

Here's a thought, though. If you transition out of circuits back, try taking shorter rests between sets. I've been doing as little as 25 second rest periods between sets lately and have been getting consistently great workouts.
I switch up btwn 5x5 heavy and 5x10 moderate and it really feels like every workout is noticeable progress.  

Do somewhat similar to this. I do 30sec rest and everything 3x/week (6 to 8 sets per bp). I like it a lot. Don't really like sitting around too much anymore.

[Donny]

Interesting.  I wonder... did Bob train like this all the time, or only for a contest prep?

A good question and one i think Funky can answer. I read that he used it year round.

[theTRASHMAN]

ask Luke Wood about the benefits.........

[Al Doggity]

Do somewhat similar to this. I do 30sec rest and everything 3x/week (6 to 8 sets per bp). I like it a lot. Don't really like sitting around too much anymore.

Everything 3x a week? Like fullbody 3x a week?

Yeah, a few guys at my gym have commented on how intense my workouts look and some have started doing similar routines. When I am forced to take longer rests (someone working in or waiting for equipment) I feel like I've lost so much momentum.

[ritch]

no.

[cephissus]

Do somewhat similar to this. I do 30sec rest and everything 3x/week (6 to 8 sets per bp). I like it a lot. Don't really like sitting around too much anymore.

Cool, Im thinking about doing something similar.  I do 3 full body sessions a week too (legs in morning, upper body in evening).  I want to keep the sets even higher, potentially.  I can't lift thatuch weight, so I gotta do something...

Glad to hear other people like this sort of training as well.  Also, grape ape, now that I think about it I used to do some giant sets like that as well.  I did this really hard 'bear complex', which got my heart rate up like crazy.  I think it was a combination of back squats, front squats, and push presses.  Never thought of that as a replacement for regular lifting before... Hmm...

[mazrim]

Everything 3x a week? Like fullbody 3x a week?

Yeah, a few guys at my gym have commented on how intense my workouts look and some have started doing similar routines. When I am forced to take longer rests (someone working in or waiting for equipment) I feel like I've lost so much momentum.

Not full body because I like working out so I go six days a week.
M-w-f: chest/sh/arms
Tues-thurs-sat:back/legs

[Ronnie Rep]

I have used circuit training for my wife. Would break down the workout between upper and lower body. Trained each twice a week. Got great results, the best of both worlds resistance training and cardio.

[cephissus]

I have used circuit training for my wife. Would break down the workout between upper and lower body. Trained each twice a week. Got great results, the best of both worlds resistance training and cardio.

I feel like cardio and resistance have very different mental benefits.  I never got satisfied from a lift in quite the same way as a hard run.

I think I might have been drawn to this approach all along because it gives some of that 'aerobic high' while quelling my worries about losing muscle.

I also think it might be more suited to me based on physiological factors, perhaps sloe twitch vs. fast twitch.  I almost never feel drained from sets for more than a few seconds, unless I'm really 'on'.

[gettingbetter]

no.

Lol!

When I want to get back into shape closing in on the summer, I do use circuits and it does wonders...

I train at 5 AM so I can pretty much do what I want. Except score with that Milf that has been tempting me ever since I joined (I'm pussywhipped married!)

Cue to someone writing homosexual over my quote in 5...4....3...2...1...

[wes]

Try this type of scenario using arms just as an example..........brutal at best.

First Set:
Barbell Curls-12 reps

Super-Set:
{Barbell Curls - 10 reps
{Skullcrushers-20 reps

Tri-Set:
{Barbell Curls - 10 reps
{Skullcrushers-15 reps
{Cable Preacher Curls-10 reps

Giant-Set # 1:
{Barbell Curls - 8 reps
{Skullcrushers-12 reps
{Cable Preacher Curls-10 reps
{Seated EZ-Bar Extensions- 12 reps

Giant-Set # 2:
{Barbell Curls - 8 reps
{Skullcrushers-12 reps
{Cable Preacher Curls-10 reps
{Seated EZ-Bar Extensions- 12 reps
{Seated Alternate DB Curls-8 reps

Giant-Set # 3:
{Barbell Curls - 8 reps
{Skullcrushers-12 reps
{Cable Preacher Curls-10 reps
{Seated EZ-Bar Extensions- 12 reps
{Seated Alternate DB Curls-8 reps
{Pressdowns-25 reps

No rest between exercises until all movements have been completed........add weight after each set (small amounts)


These are kinda` like ladder Giant-Sets if you will.


Adjust volume and use scenario on any bodypart.


I`ve had great success doing this once a month  or so or whenever the mood strikes me.


DISCLAIMER: no rest between exercises makes this a motherf.ucking monster to perform.

Thank me later.

[cephissus]

Thanks wes... Had a great result with circuit training again this morning.  Legs:

Lunge warmup, then:

Front/back squats
DB hamstring curls
Calf raises/donkey calf raises

No rest between sets.  Did about 5 sets light weight, 4 sets heavy weight.  Felt fantastic afterward, almost like after a good run.  Breathing heavy the whole time, and even able to break a sweat (rare for me).

I feel this style alleviates a few of my worries:

1. Let's me move on from a bad set, without dwelling on it.
2. Freedom to adjust -- I have no fear of accomplishing a pump or whatever in X sets.  If things aren't going well, I just adjust and do more and more sets, trying different things.
3.  Not worried about wasting time, focused for entire session.

In the typical training style, I easily lose focus and get depressed before 'checking every box' on my lift.  In this style, I get to hit everything from the start, and quickly put a lot of good work under my belt.  By the time I start losing focus, i feel I've accomplished enough to end the lift.

[funk51]

I always lift at the circus.

you beat me to it...

[andreisdaman]

That type of training with no rest in between burns me out fast

[Nails]

like this 

[funk51]

When I first started lifting, I did circuits... Probably because I learned from friends who had taken our schools weights class, where the teacher had to shuttle kids through a workout as quickly as possible.

I transitioned to bodybuilding style lifting a few years later, after I started reading forums, etc. and learning from guys at college.  I always preferred high rep sets -- I felt like they got my heart pounding and pump going.  However, i worried about lifting too light.

On the other hand, I never liked low rep sets.  I hated waiting around for my 'muscles to recover' even though I wasn't tired.  Its true, if I waited long enough I'd get more reps, but I almost never felt tired for more than a few seconds after a set.

I like supersets, but I still found myself waiting around too much.  Yesterday, I decided to try doing circuits of 3-4 exercises with heavy weight (5-8 reps), no rest between sets.

It was great -- heart pounding, stayed warm, felt the muscle fatigue in a reasonable number of reps, got in and out of the gym fast.  I feel I might just be suited to this type of lifting.  I rarely feel like Im capable of doing a set that requires minutes to recover from.

What about you guys?  Anyone else feel the same way?

actually i sometimes do this as a burnout at the end of a regular routine for instance i'll do a set of chins drop down and do dips than go right to lat pulldowns than reg pushups, without stopping only to get to next piece i'm using... try it sometimes...

[The True Adonis]

Here is what I have been doing lately.

Just picking three exercises per body part.  Then doing the first 3-4 sets with heavy weight and low reps, then choosing a lighter weight and going until I reach 50 total reps and then its on to the next exercise.

It looks like this:

Chest:
Bench Press-4 reps Heavy Weight, 3 Reps Heavy Weight, 2 Reps Heavy Weight, 2 reps Heavy Weight, and the rest of the 39 reps will be done with whatever weight I want.
Dips-50 reps Use weight if desired until you complete 50 reps, start heavy as above.
Flyes-Choose a weight and get to 50 reps.  Start heavier as above.

I find it a lot faster and more productive as you get a mix of heavy, light, medium and pump all in one and in a short amount of time.

I don't think its necessary to do bodyparts more than once a week at all.  I have seen zero difference or change doing so. 

[cephissus]

Here is what I have been doing lately.

Just picking three exercises per body part.  Then doing the first 3-4 sets with heavy weight and low reps, then choosing a lighter weight and going until I reach 50 total reps and then its on to the next exercise.

It looks like this:

Chest:
Bench Press-4 reps Heavy Weight, 3 Reps Heavy Weight, 2 Reps Heavy Weight, 2 reps Heavy Weight, and the rest of the 39 reps will be done with whatever weight I want.
Dips-50 reps Use weight if desired until you complete 50 reps, start heavy as above.
Flyes-Choose a weight and get to 50 reps.  Start heavier as above.

I find it a lot faster and more productive as you get a mix of heavy, light, medium and pump all in one and in a short amount of time.

I don't think its necessary to do bodyparts more than once a week at all.  I have seen zero difference or change doing so. 

Cool!  Thanks for the idea -- it's in line with the style of lifting that I like.  For example, Dante "DoggCrapp's" school of 'HIT' recommends one 'set' per body part, but the set is actually 3.  Heavy weight, with just 10 seconds of rest in between each set.  Then you can finish up with a drop set for like 20-30 reps (depending on the type of exercise).  E.g. maybe you get 8-10 reps your first set, 6-7 your second, and 5-7 your third.  Drop the weight a little, and do another 20-30 reps.

Similar idea.