Circuit Training at Its Finest!

In a time when everyone is promoting 30-minuteJump rope for 5 minutes
workouts to make Personal Training affordable, I'd1. Hamstring curl (heavy) 8-12 reps
like to remind you that most athletes could never2. Dumbbell clean and press 15-25 reps
train for just thirty minutes and make any gains,3. Reverse hip extension on ball 15-25 reps
let alone maintain their form.4. Standing lunge with a lateral raise (until failure)
Baseball, basketball, football, tennis, soccer,Jump rope for 5 minutes
volleyball, triathlons, cycling and jogging all last1. Plyometric dumbbell push-up to a standing
longer than a half an hour. Although, a volley indumbbell press. (Pick light dumbbells and good luck
tennis or volleyball might last a few seconds or atrying to get 25 reps)
football, basketball or baseball play might last the2. Reverse crunches 25-50 reps
same, an athlete must be able to focus,3. Pec dec or one-armed cable cross-overs 15-25
concentrate and keep their head on the game forreps
much longer than 30 minutes. However, in soccer,4. Ab machine (heavy 10-12 reps)
cycling, triathlons and running it's rarely the caseJump rope for 5 minutes
these sporting events will last less than 301. Pull-ups (as many as possible)
minutes. Think back to your high school or college2. Russian twists w/medicine ball (2kg) between
days. When did your practice ever last 30the feet
minutes? There was the warm-up, stretching,3. Contralateral one-arm rows with a lunge on a
skills, plays, scrimmaging, special teams, laps and alow cable
cool-down. All that in 30 minutes? Can't happen.4. Leg raises with a medicine ball (2kg) between
The human body is an amazing machine. It canthe feet
withstand a whole lot of punishing. It also canJump rope for 5 minutes
adapt very well. Very quickly, this machine will beCardio
able to handle 30 minutes.Jog, cycle or perform some mode of cardio for
The workouts below are for conditioning not30 minutes at 60-70% of functional capacity.
hypertrophy. A bodybuilder would rarely train thisStretch and cool down
long. Most clients won't have the time, but someWarm-up
will not only have the time, but also have thePerform the same as the previous workout
money. Because of the long days of summer,Circuit Training
you might be able to perform this training outside.(Start with body weight and then add a weighted
These workouts should last about two hours plusvest)
and burn approximately 1500 calories dependingSquat 25-50 reps
on the size of the client and intensity of the90 degree jumps with a wide stance. 25-50 reps
exercises.Split jumps 15-25 reps
Warm-upJump squats 25 reps
30-40 minutes on the treadmill, bike or someUBE (upper body ergometer or tubing) for 5
piece of cardio.minutes
Starting at 15 minutes, add at a 1:1 work: restDrop push-ups off of two medicine balls. 10-15
ratio, .60, .90 and 1:20 second intervals with 3-5repetitions
minutes in between those three intervals. ThePec deck on two stability balls. 10-15 reps. (Prone,
intervals could be speed or hill intervals.a wide stance with elbows bent, one on each ball
Progressively increase the speed or the grade ofsimilar to a Pec deck)
the hill on each interval. You might need to keepPush-ups with legs on the stability ball. 15-20 reps
the first and second bouts the same speeds orOne-armed cable crossovers. 15-25 reps
incline.Stationary bike for 16 minutes performing
For example:intervals at a 1:1 work to rest ratio, 2 minutes
5.0 mph for 15 minutes or 0% gradeseated, two minutes standing for a total of four
5.5 mph for .30 seconds or 3% gradeintervals.
5.0 mph for .30 seconds or 0% gradeHip extension on ball. 10-15 reps
6.0 mph for .90 seconds or 4% gradeSupermans .60-1.30 seconds
5.0 mph for .90 seconds or 0% gradeProne free style kick on stability ball. .60-1.30
6.5 mph for 1:20 seconds or 5% gradeseconds. (Prone, on stability ball with hands
5.0 mph for 3-5 minutes.secured to something)
Repeat the same or proceed starting with 6.0UBE 5 minutes
mph or 4% grade.Smith machine chins. 15-25 reps. (If the client is
Here are four circuits to be completed twice eachnot strong enough adjust the bar so it's only
before the bouts of jumping rope.about 2-ft above the ground. Have the client lie
The loads and reps might change based on yourdown under it).
client.Alternating pulls with torso rotation. 25 reps
Always obtain a client profile with exercise history,Staggered stance one-arm rows 15-25 reps (you
medical history and any medications.may incorporate a lunge)
1. 2 ft box jumps with 20-40lb weighted vestOne armed cleans. 15 reps. (start in a squat
15-25 repsposition and hang the dumbbell between the legs,
2. Medicine ball sit ups (with weighted vest) 25-50sumo style)
repsCardio
3. Squat. Same vest 25-50 repsJog, cycle or perform some mode of cardio for
4. The plank 3-minutes: .30 prone, .30 to each side30 minutes at 60-70% of functional capacity.
with .30 prone in between and then .60 prone toStretch and cool down
finish.I hope this gives you some ideas. ENJOY!