Training circuits, an indispensable tool

In every gym there is a primary factor pursued by customers and professionals in the sector: the profitability of time.
And this, together with the improvement of physical condition and the achievement of a good state of health, is the common philosophy of anyone who is in contact with the different sports routines.

However, parameters such as uncertainty, lack of knowledge or the simple desire for autonomy on the part of the customer, often cause you to see, from your counter, a high number of empty machines; customers occupying certain sections for longer than necessary or even saturation of some activities.

The solution?
The so-called training circuits that, if you do not yet apply in your routines, you are going to integrate in your center as a basic because they are the perfect remedy for both you and your client to take advantage of space and time in equal parts.

First of all, it is important not to confuse the circuit with the so-called training routines, the latter being the plan and the former the execution.
The two must coexist within the organization that you apply in your center’s workouts, because by planning an appropriate routine for a client, the creation of its corresponding circuit is the next step for each and every one of your clients to be closer to achieving their goals.
If you have any questions, here for more information about training routines.

Generally speaking, a training circuit is defined as all those series of exercises designed by a professional according to the client’s objective, whether it is weight loss, toning or maintenance.
These series generally comprise three types of sections: strength, body weight or cardiovascular exercises, for which a number of repetitions with or without rest will be established.
And it is precisely according to all these variables that three different types of exercises are classified:

–Interval training: Those exercises in which there is a certain rest time between sets.

–AMRAP: A type of circuit that challenges the athlete to perform the highest number of repetitions set out in the circuit in a given period of time.
This is perhaps the most common type of training among CrossFit followers and represents a whole universe of information, which you can find here.

Once we are clear about the concept we have to put all our effort into designing effective and correct training circuits. We have to take into account variables such as the duration of the training routine in which our circuits will be framed; the frequency with which they will be practiced, the type of exercises and the number of repetitions of each one, all depending on the objective previously set by your client in an initial interview.

On the other hand, and in addition to having all the necessary information that you will have gathered from the test you have performed on your client (height, weight, imc, etc.), it is important to explain and teach one by one all the activities and training zones that are going to be used in each circuit.
Let’s take a look at some of them:

-Cardio exercises. This category is perfect for those times when the gym is more crowded than usual, as we can use exercises that require specific equipment, such as running on the treadmill, or on the other hand exercises that can be practiced anywhere, such as jumping jacks with high knees.

Upper trunk or lower trunk exercises, which we can perform, for example, in a large space without the need for machines and which correspond to repetitions of bodyweight squats, push-ups or lunges, among many others.

–Free weight area, where you can work with barbell or dumbbells depending on the client’s needs.

Training with self-loads, referred to all those exercises that we perform with our own body weight.
This type of training has the advantage of being able to be performed in any area of the gym.

–Gymnastic exercises, for which bars, rings or CrossFit WODs will be used.

All these exercises are examples of an infinite number of alternatives to train your client, and are usually gathered around five stations: back and shoulders, chest, core, upper and lower legs.
Without forgetting that a good warm-up before any circuit you perform is a must.

As you can see, and although everything we have explained so far is usually the most generic part of the training circuits, it depends on you and your goals the type of circuit you want to develop.
The greater the customization, the better the results.

By now you will have noticed that designing a personalized training circuit for your client is not an easy task if you want to do it in the best possible way.
However, we have good news and that is that there are many benefits that you get when you plan it:

-Customer education. On the one hand, you must understand that a training circuit is a great way to help your client become familiar with all areas of the gym.
Only in this way will they take full advantage of the benefits they can obtain from them and learn how to make good use of the equipment available.
And all this, through an initial explanation in the circuit demonstration.

-You are a source of help. Pass on good advice and effective forms of help to your clients, as there is no better experience for them than to feel supported and accompanied in their quest to improve their physical condition.
It is very important that this is a constant behavior and that you follow up the evolution of your client during the circuits.

-You optimize the space and time of your gym. As we have been saying, circuit training can be a perfect alternative to make the most of every space in your gym for your clients, as well as guaranteeing that they dedicate the necessary time to each activity, no more and no less.

-You are in constant contact with new trends. The fact of elaborating new training circuits according to your customer’s needs, forces you to look for new ways of improvement and to be in touch with the new trends in your sector.

In conclusion, a circuit training is much more than applying different sets of exercises to your clients’ routine.
It is a source of constant planning that will move your business in the right direction, as well as enhance your clients’ experience.

It is, without a doubt, the perfect way to optimize your business and turn it day after day into a space for professional and personal evolution, for you and your clients.