Good Wednesday morning my fellow future Men’s Health cover model:)
So yesterday, we talked about not having to sweat you’re a$$ off to get a great workout. I won’t waste your time by summarizing the email – you can go back and read the email.
But in spite of my scientific proof, it always sparks the ire of the “cardio crowd”. So, keeping with that theme, let’s finally set the record straight…
What is the difference between Circuit Training and Interval Training?
Circuit Training
A style of training that is primarily focused on resistance/lifting weights. We rotate through the exercises with little rest between. One circuit is completed when you’ve gone through each of the exercises. Multiple circuits are usually performed per training session.
Circuit Training benefits your musculoskeletal system and body composition. The resistance-training builds lean muscle, strengthen bones, and often leads to fat loss.
Interval Training
Simply a cardio workout. You choose your aerobic exercise – swimming, running, cycling, rowing, etc., and perform high-intensity effort with periods of recovery. For example, I tell our soccer players to sprint down their street past 10 mailboxes, then lightly jog past the next 20 to recover. Then, repeat those intervals at least 10X.
The benefit of Interval Training is to improve cardiorespiratory function (very important in soccer). Unlike steady-state training like jogging, your heart is pushed beyond it’s comfort zone, which forces it to get stronger.
So, what is the best way for a golfer to workout?
BOTH! Kind of…
We focus more on Circuit Training as it relates better to the golf game, is easier to stick to, and is more fun. BUT, we also mix in 1-2 per week of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to strengthen our hearts and lungs – always a good thing.
If you take a look at the 8-week Golf Body Blueprint training program in the 18STRONG Membership App, you’ll see on the workout calendar there are three resistance-training days and one HIIT day per week.
If HIIT is your jam, then add another day. But, we’ve found one day per week is the sweet spot for our Crew.
Now, get at it!
Your #1 Fan,
Jeff Pelizzaro
PS – If you’re unclear about what exercises you should be doing for your resistance days and your HIIT days, we’ve taken the liberty of mapping it all out for you in the 18STRONG Membership App.
If for some reason, you haven’t joined yet, you can click here.