Physical health is arguably one of the most important elements of human life. With good physical health we are able to live longer and experience more satisfying lives. There are thousands of different methods out there that enable humans to stay healthy. These include an immense list of dieting programs and exercise regiments. Fitness programs range from being immensely successful to actually harming athletes. Some programs are great for professional athletes while others cater to beginners, but few can be used for everyone. Circuit training is a program that has seen success with people of all ages and abilities. The circuit training method is growing rapidly and benefitting people worldwide. Circuit training involves doing a variety of movements for short periods of time. It can be done in a gym, at home or on the go. The versatility of circuit training makes it easy to exercise in any environment. Many boot camps and gyms offer circuit training programs, but one gym in particular excels in its usage of circuit training. This gym, known as CrossFit, utilizes intensity, endurance and strength to create circuit workouts for athletes of all ages, sizes and abilities.This blog delves into the benefits of circuit training and its successful usage in CrossFit Gyms worldwide.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Benefits of CrossFit Circuit Training

Circuit training is an extremely beneficial type of exercise. It increases metabolism and endurance while strengthening and toning muscles. “Studies have concluded that, depending on the structure and balance of the session, you can dramatically improve your fitness level by taking part in circuit training exercises” (The Benefits of Fitness Circuit Training).

Traditional circuit training is a great way to stay in shape, but taking it one step further has become a popular trend in fitness. CrossFit has developed a way to improve fitness levels more quickly and dramatically than traditional circuit training by increasing the intensity of workouts. This intensity has been created by removing the rest-period between movements and timing workouts so that they must be done as fast as possible. According to the Web site, Circuit Training Exercise, the intensity of CrossFit workouts “increase[s] the body’s cardio respiratory endurance” ("Circuit training at home: Cross-fit workouts").

One of the greatest benefits of CrossFit workouts is that they increase the body’s excess postexercise oxygen consumption, also known as EPOC. EPOC is the body’s method of restoring itself to its pre-workout state. The body consumes more oxygen and an increased level of energy is expended. The elevated rate of energy expenditure increases metabolism as well as the number of calories burned ("What is EPOC and Why is it Your Fat Burning Friend?," Elkaim).

Wikipedia’s entry on EPOC explains that during EPOC, the body continues to burn calories and “fat stores are broken down and free fatty acids are released into the blood” ("Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption"). This entry also explains that anaerobic exercise, which is the type of exercise CrossFit uses, increases EPOC more than aerobic exercise. This increased EPOC promotes elevated physical health and physique, arguably making CrossFit workouts one of the most effective methods of physical fitness.

For more information about EPOC visit, “Resistance Training and EPOC” on drlenkravitz.com
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