How to Set Up Your Own Circuit Training Workout at the Gym

I love circuit training because it's fast and effective. The problem with circuit training though, is that people think it can only exist in a class setting. However, this is not true at all. A lot of gyms and specialty fitness centers offer circuit training classes but you can easily set up your own circuit training workout independently at any time.

For those that are not familiar with circuit training, I'll explain. Circuit training is a workout routine based on low resistance exercises performed on a set amount of time instead of reps. Each timed exercise is called a "circuit." Once the time is up, you are done with that circuit and you immediately move on to the next circuit without any rest. This system allows you to keep an aerobic pace while performing resistance exercises, so it's perfect for people like me who get bored on the treadmill. It's very possible to get a great circuit training workout in 15 minutes.

Working out at the gym can present a bit of a challenge for setting up your circuit as the availability of the equipment you plan to use may be out of your control. Never the less, setting up your own circuit training program is still very possible. You need to be flexible and plan alternate exercises to perform in case your equipment is not ready to use when you need to use it, or you can change the order of your circuit on the fly to fit with what's available. Example: If you where planning on doing shoulder presses but the equipment is being used, you can skip the shoulder workout and move onto the next muscle group and then come back to the shoulders later when the equipment is available. If you do not want to disrupt the order of your routine, you can substitute the shoulder press for another shoulder exercise by using free weights instead of the hulking shoulder press machine.

Gyms carry plenty of free weights so they are always available to use and that's good since you can get a complete circuit training workout only using free weights. Free weights are better than the machines since the machines use a lot of leverage and don't affect your muscles in an honest way. Free weights are far better to real world functions.
Source: Personal Experience as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert.