Circuit training
As a coach your training time is, at best, limited. How you maximise this limited time with your trainees is crucial. The question you, as a coach, may ask is: How can I get the best out of my squad with such little training time available?
For you, as many coaches Worldwide have found, Circuit training (CT) might just be the answer.
CT involves the performance of a number of exercises in a specific sequence where athletes move between exercise stations after a given period of time or number of reps. It is a widely popular and highly-advanced training tool for developing specific areas of performance and can be introduced into any session in any sport with ease.
You are probably familiar with the concept of Circuit training and for many, CT conjures up images of an old-school approach to training used for decades by everyone from domineering PE teachers to army instructors to improve basic levels of fitness, but there is much more to CT than merely going through the motions while a whistle blows!
CT introduced in a systematic, progressive manner can be a powerful, contemporary training format successfully employed to get the best out of your athletes. Properly designed circuits will provide your athletes with sufficient Work:Rest ratios for given muscle groups and energy systems which means they can develop movement skills without undue fatigue, minimising injury risk while developing athleticism.
CT can be included in every single training session and should be performed immediately following a dynamic-warm up to potentially train all elements of fitness within one short session.
As with all training formats the role of the coach is key, but need not be daunting. Familiarity with just a handful of simple exercises will allow the coach to lead a stimulating session to challenge their athletes appropriately.
Traditionally coaches have needed to allocate a particular exercise to a corresponding station (usually marked by a cone) and demonstrate each exercise before the session could begin. However, our step-by-step picture demonstration and easy to follow guidelines take all the hassle out of researching, organising and demonstrating appropriate CT drills; now coaches simply set the circuit out for complete, developmentally specific physical training.
The benefits of Circuit training:
- Suitable for outdoors
- Minimal space and equipment required (A watch, whistle and some cones will do!)
- Time efficient (10-15 mins is a good start)
- Simple to run/introduce and progress
- Variety and fun
Add to this the ability to train the whole body and target many athletic skills within one quick session and it is clear why CT is a coaching favourite.
Check here to watch one of our CT sessions in action.
