Circuit Training at Home for Men

Circuit Training at Home for Men
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According to the Mayo Clinic, fitness programs such as circuit training -- a form of exercise that combines various exercises performed in sequence -- can improve your overall health, including reducing the risk for chronic disease and improving balance and coordination. While these benefits can be achieved by both men and women, home-based circuit training workouts for men are designed to improve the strength, flexibility and endurance of the male body. While circuit training for men offers various health benefits, always consult a doctor before starting a fitness program.

Exercises

Circuit training workouts for men should include a balance of upper-body, lower-body and core exercises. Four major types of exercises include body weight exercises, plyometrics, core exercises and metabolic conditioning. Body weight exercises will be included in most circuits for men, with exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, burpees and dips. Plyometrics include jump rope, box jumps and squat jumps, while core exercises include sit-ups, crunches and back extensions. Metabolic conditioning includes running, biking or various calisthenics such as jumping jacks.

Features

Perform home circuit training workouts four to six days per week for about 30 to 45 minutes per workout. Choose the specific exercises to include in the workout and set up a rotation for the exercises. Start by performing an exercise for a specific amount of time or repetitions before immediately moving to the next exercise. Complete as many rounds as possible in a specific time frame, or three to five rounds as fast as possible. An example of a circuit training workout for men combines pull-ups, push-ups and squats. Perform as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats.

Benefits

According to the Sports Fitness Advisor website, circuit training can be used by male athletes to fix muscular imbalances while improving strength and endurance. If you aren't an athlete, however, circuit training can be customized by changing the selection of the exercises and the workout intensity to match your current fitness level. Another benefit of circuit training includes the ability to increase the heart rate during the workout to promote aerobic benefits and burn fat while increasing the amount of lean muscle tissue.

Considerations

Begin each circuit training workout with a total body warm-up of calisthenics and finish with a cool-down of various flexibility exercises. Adjust the workout based on your individual fitness goals and combine a variety of exercises to improve strength, endurance and flexibility. The Mayo Clinic recommends starting slowly and increasing the weight and repetitions as your fitness level improves. Record the exercises, sets, repetitions, weights and times for each workout. Combine the circuit training program with a balanced nutrition plan and consult a fitness professional for personalized workout advice.

References

Article reviewed by OmahaTyppo Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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