Circuit training, whether performed indoors or outdoors, offers a wide range of health benefits, making it an efficient and effective option for almost anybody! Before diving deeper, here’s a quick overview of what circuit training can do to improve you health.
General Benefits of Circuit Training:
- Improves body composition
- Builds muscular strength
- Burns calories efficiently
- Enhances cardiovascular health
- Boosts functional fitness for everyday life
- Elevates mood through hormone regulation and social engagement
- Improves flexibility and mobility
- Lowers risk of injury
- Encourages exercise adherence through variety and enjoyment
- Highly practical. Its can be performed in a 2-meter square space if you can’t make it to a class
Take It Outside: The Added Power of Outdoor Circuits
When circuit training is performed in a natural green space, you don’t just gain all the benefits listed above, you also turbo-charge additional benefits to both mental and physical wellbeing:
- Restores cognitive functions like attention and memory
- Further improves mood and overall sense of wellbeing
- Lowers blood pressure post-exercise, supporting faster recovery
- Enhances your ability to work harder and sustain effort
Add One More Element: The Morning Workout
Layering in the mix early morning sessions can bring even more advantages:
- Increases your metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories throughout the day
- Promotes better sleep quality
- Builds psychological resilience by overcoming the urge to stay in bed
- Maximises time efficiency in today’s hectic lifestyles
A Great Fit for Beginners
Circuit training is also ideal if you’re just starting your fitness journey. Most sessions are led by experienced instructors who guide you through each movement, helping you learn correct form and reduce the risk of injury.
You’ll experience a wide variety of exercises, many of which you may not have tried before. For beginners, staying motivated is often easier in a group setting, where the energy and support of others can help you push through when it gets tough.
Circuit training stations are usually time-based rather than rep-based, meaning you can work at your own pace. And if any movement is too challenging, instructors can offer modified or alternative exercises suited to your fitness level.
Inclusive, Adaptable, and Long-term Friendly
The structure of circuit training is naturally inclusive. It accommodates a wide range of fitness levels, ages, and goals, making it accessible to more people. This inclusivity plays a key role in encouraging long-term commitment to regular exercise. Exercise adherence is one of the biggest challenges people face when trying to stay active on a regular basis.
Final thoughts – Why We Offer This Service.
Let’s face it, many of us struggle to find even one hour in the day/week to dedicate to fitness. That’s why choosing a training method with the biggest return on your time and effort is essential.
Outdoor fitness classes/one-on-one training form two of the core services at Felltop Wellbeing. These training modalities are backed by science and designed with real-life demands in mind.
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. I invite you to visit the Services page to learn more and I hope to see you at an upcoming class or private session.
Matt Adey MSc, Dip PT.
Sources
A Group-Based 8-Week Functional Interval-Type Outdoor Training Program Improves Physical Performance in Recreationally Active Adults
The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09603120500155963
The Complete Guide to Circuit Training by Richard Hope and Debbie Lawrence
Effect of morning versus evening exercise training on sleep, physical activity, fitness, fatigue and quality of life in overweight and obese adults
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07420528.2021.1935988
