Question about circuit training article - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

Just read this article by Juan Carolos Santana:
http://www.performbetter.com/catalog...itTrainingPhen

At the end of the article under the heading "The Basic FITMOVES Group Circuits" he states, "The circuit can be applied to a group of individuals. As a matter of fact, the original FITMOVES pilot study had 12 stations. Therefore, don’t get caught up in the number of stations and order of exercises; have some fun with it. As long as all of the four pillars are trained each day, the program will be effective, safe and fun."

So is he saying the circuit can be performed every day? When resistance is low can you perform an exercise 2 days in a row? Can bodyweight exercises (such as squats, lunges, and pushups) be performed every day?

I am trying to understand where the line is drawn between cardio and resistance training.

Thanks.

Christina

[standAPART]

Christina,
I really think you try to absorb TOO MUCH information and you actually confuse yourself. Don't be offended by this observation, but you are like a typical client of mine. They tend to "miss the forest for the trees".

The factors that affect a client's response to certain exercises (in a circuit)are:
1.) load
2.) rest/recovery
3.) duration
4.) frequency
5.) speed/power of movement
6.) fitness level/conditioning

What JC is talking about and I am sure every class of his is different, is using different movements that actually provide active recovery. When you work opposing muscle groups in circuits, the antagonist actually recovers when it becomes the primary mover (agonist). So, sometimes this allows people to perform multiple stations in a circuit. Although, the factors noted above are still in effect.

Not sure what you mean about cardio. There is a difference in metabolic training versus conventional cardio.

[Christina]

The factors that affect a client's response to certain exercises (in a circuit)are:
1.) load
2.) rest/recovery
3.) duration
4.) frequency
5.) speed/power of movement
6.) fitness level/conditioning

What JC is talking about and I am sure every class of his is different, is using different movements that actually provide active recovery. When you work opposing muscle groups in circuits, the antagonist actually recovers when it becomes the primary mover (agonist). So, sometimes this allows people to perform multiple stations in a circuit. Although, the factors noted above are still in effect.

Thanks. This, I get.

My question is, can the same muscle groups be trained every day if the load is bodyweight or light resistance? The NSCA (like most organizations) states that the same muscle groups should not be trained 2 days in a row.

I am trying to design a couple of circuits for a client who will not leave her home to exercise (she's self conscious). She has a torn meniscus and the doctor said upper body exercises only. She said she loves circuit training and would be willing to do it practically every day. That's why I am asking these questions.

[standAPART]

Typical doctor response, "Stay away from it (and maybe you'll forget about it)".

Squats with proper form will benefit her torn meniscus. Meniscus tears are not really as bad as people think. You' d be surprised at how many peopel walk around with tears and don't even know it.

[KPG]

Hi Christina,

I think the author’s choice of wording is off and it does seem to imply that the training would be on consecutive days.

When I injured my knee nearly three years ago my doctor told me to ride a bike and absolutely no weight training. That lasted for about two months as I watched my lower body shrink. I took matters into my own hands and rehabilitated myself by slowly going back to my regular routine. Today I have about 95% of my strength back, I squat, lunge, curl and press - you name it and I developed an uncanny knack of predicting the weather with my knee!

I know you do not want to contradict your client’s Dr’s advise, But, logically the only way to build the strength and stability in the supporting muscles if to train them. Depending on the amount of damage it could be a long slow road, but on that is well worth it. I have never been back to my Doctor since!

K

[Christina]

Thanks for the responses. She actually went to a sports medicine doctor and he sent her to a physical therapist. She goes back next week for another mri and then the doctor will decide if he wants to do surgery. I get what you guys are saying but I do worry about making her injury worse. She has 75+ pounds to lose so her joints are under a lot of stress.

Christina

[standAPART]

What would you say if I told you "her joints are not under alot of stress?"

[Christina]

I would say it goes against everything I have read. Her doctor said the tear was most likely due to the excess weight.

Obviously you have a different opinion so please explain.

Curious why so many obese individuals need hip/knee replacements.

[standAPART]

Christina,
Before you show your fangs, relax...lend an ear...

Obesity in of ITSELF does not cause individuals to elect knee or hip replacements. Many clients I work with have had both done, and not one has been overweight (my training is at a very high class country club in CT). Most hip and knee replacements are in OLDER populations. Most hip knee replacements are caused by osteoarthritis--a degenerative condition, that may be brought on by an active lifestyle. Funny how most hip knee replacements I have met were somewhat athletic in their earlier years or had very physical jobs. Most obese people are not active (thats why they are fat) and their joints are not under any more stress, than any of ours. If you told me your obese client was a runner; did years of aerobics, or was a gymnast--then I would assume the same as you. But I don't.

You are taking the words of a doctor--who is NOT in this field and is puppeteer-ed by insurance companies and dismissing my ideas because you haven't read it in your text book.

So, I provided you with a resource to back up my position:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14580629?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=3&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

[Christina]

Christina,
Before you show your fangs, relax...lend an ear...

Did I say something wrong? I'm confused.

You are taking the words of a doctor--who is NOT in this field and is puppeteer-ed by insurance companies and dismissing my ideas because you haven't read it in your text book.

John, he is a sports medicine doctor, not a proctologist.

As far as osteoarthritis is concerned...
From the Mayo Clinic:
"It isn't clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness."

I can think of 5 people right off the top of my head who have had hip/knee replacements (or serious joint problems) and all of them have been obese to morbidly obese. Just a personal observation.