Circuit training to failure

[RockHard]

Joined a new gym and with it came a different way of training. For last 3 years I been doing the standard 45 minute weight training 5 day split. Started out weighing 78kgs - now weigh 105kgs with 14% body fat (trying hard to get it lower). But with the new gym, they have a circuit of 8 machines, constantly assisted by personal trainers. The idea is to do one set on each machine till failure - very scientific and I remember reading something about this type of training some time ago, saying how good it was. You go to failure for one set, move to next machine, no rest, do the same - through all 8 machines. I find I am wrecked at the end of it - bloody good workout and I don't really miss the weights training at all. They don't allow you to do this two days in a row - one day's rest enforced. I have found that my muscle tone is better and I don't seem to have lost any muscle mass.

Anyone else have experience with this type of training? What are your opinions on this type of training?

[laurasaur]

um, what gym is this? sounds weird.

[RockHard]

BodyTech in Mt Eden, Auckland.

http://www.bodytech.co.nz/mt-eden/workout/supervised-circuit/

[BodySculpt]

That sounds sick Mate, ive been keen to give this a go for a while but my gyms circuit is pretty average.

youre pretty much at my goal bodyweight btw. think I'd be pretty stoked with holding that weight and %. Im about 5'8 14% 101kg at a guess (just a few more kg for xmas please!)

[knock knock]

Looks like fun!

[RockHard]

It's weird - thought I would miss doing weights, but I don't really. I do worry sometimes that I don't get enough done for some body parts, especially triceps and biceps - but you are always able to add additional exercises if you feel you need to do more. The program goes through 3 different levels and I am now at the third level - so you do the 8 machine circuit, then for 3 sessions you do 3 additional leg exercises, then next 3 sessions you do 3 additional bicep and back exercises, then next 3 sessions you do 3 additional tricep and shoulder exercises. Then back to first 3 additional exercises and so on... Workout is done under 30 minutes, which leaves enough time to get some decent cardio in at the end. I like it.

[Truds]

Is each 'station' in the circuit a machine, or are there some free weight exercises in there too?

[Dragon]

How many reps do you do to failure?

Or are you putting heaps of weight on the machine so you don't get a complete rep over say 12?

[Old School]

They have one in milford as well. We had a look but didn't join because of the lack of free weights. IMO if you feel like its working then it probably is. your muscles don't know the difference between weights and machines all they understand is resistance.

[RockHard]

Is each 'station' in the circuit a machine, or are there some free weight exercises in there too?

In te circuit itself all stations are machines - but the gym has a good variety and amount of free weights too.

[RockHard]

How many reps do you do to failure?

Or are you putting heaps of weight on the machine so you don't get a complete rep over say 12?

Try to do between 12 and 15 reps - sometimes add 21's at the end, as well as negative sets right at the end - if you can't reach 12, they drop the weight for next time, - if you get 12, weight stays the same, - more than 12, weight goes up next time.

[RockHard]

They have one in milford as well. We had a look but didn't join because of the lack of free weights. IMO if you feel like its working then it probably is. your muscles don't know the difference between weights and machines all they understand is resistance.

The only annoying thing about the free weights is they are all in pounds, not kilograms. But this gym certainly does have enough free weights - but also, keep in mind, they cater specifically to corporate type clients - not serious bodybuilders.

[Luigi]

wasnt dorian yates a big advocate of the one set to failure ? well it certainly worked for him.... although he did it differently same sort of principle .

[Cory]

I can vouch for this too, have seen my best results using the Bodytech circuit. The trainers often spice it up, esp when its quiet and no-one else is behind you.

I've moved into free weights now, but think i'll have to give the circuit another crack - see where my levels are at now...