WHAT IS OUTDOOR CIRCUIT TRAINING AND WHY IS IT IDEAL FOR BOOTCAMP-STYLE OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING? By Garry Robinson www.kaizenoutdoorfitness.com
Outdoor Circuit Training Circuit Training was developed in England during the 1950’s as a way of allowing groups of people of differing fitness levels to train together. It typically consists of approximately 10 stations, where a different exercise is designated at each station. In a circuit training workout, participants move between the stations at prescribed time intervals which are typically between 30s and 2mins. The exercises are carefully combined to work every energy system and muscle group. So a typical circuit would contain a mix of aerobic exercises, anaerobic exercises, high-repetition low-resistance exercises and low-repetition high-resistance exercises. Other ways of organising circuit training workouts would be to design stations that catered for different movement patterns such as pushing, pulling, throwing, running and jumping. The end result is a total-body, total energy-system workout that fits perfectly into any program of general physical preparedness. Working out together as a group or team builds morale and friendship, so it is especially useful for military recruits in fitness bootcamps and for emergency services personnel who rely on teamwork. Both groups have to be physically prepared for anything so the diversity of training methods mean circuit training is highly effective for these occupations. Boxers and martial artists also use circuit training extensively in their training because it can be designed to closely resemble the physical demands of a fight. Bruce Lee in particular loved the multiple benefits that are brought about by this type of training.
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