Long Interval Circuit Workout

Today’s workout is from Trevor Shoulders. He has not only included a very fun looking workout but also some great tips on planning your sessions.

Thanks Trevor!

Choosing your location

First off you need to get access to a large indoor venue that can take a pounding or find a private-ish outdoor setting that can accommodate your needs.

Want my advice? Do it outside. Even though you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, people enjoy being outside and are more comfortable in an open area.

For me, I’ve chosen an abandoned parking lot outside of the gym I train for, yes its convenient but you may not be as lucky.

Planning the session

Decide what types of exercises you want your clients performing BEFORE you start planning this. Trust me it saves a lot of headache.

The routine I’m going to list below is a combo of strength training, plyometrics, body weight and agility training. Again, lucky for me I have resources and am able to get equipment easily and cheap. I enjoy abstract training, meaning I use unconventional equipment, such as sledgehammers; tractor tires; and sandbags. No, it’s not a new thing but still I enjoy it.

Base your own camp on what YOU want and what your clients want. Also, remember our first topic, make sure your venue can accommodate the style of training you plan on doing.

Make sure you’re insured

Lastly before we start talking exercises, make sure you cover your back. I learned the hard way that just because you know someone well and they get hurt during your camp, doesn’t mean they won’t sue.

So, in saying that, draft up a contract of sorts that covers your legal side so that any injuries can’t be placed on the landlord/owner of property or yourself. You’ll have to do your own research on this topic though.

The Workout

Now, down to business, let’s set up some circuits with 2-3 people per station. The purpose for this is to build some healthy competition between the group members as well as allowing them to motivate one another when your attention isn’t on them.

I’ve had a lot of success with one of two options;

• either pair up men and women with similar strength/body comp;
• or put opposites together (i.e. an experienced individual with a less experienced person).

I’ve had less luck with the latter of the two but it works in some scenarios.

Next I suggest giving a rundown of how to do each exercise if you haven’t already planned on doing so, it may seen redundant to some but to the individuals who might be boot camp newbie’s, it may be a lifesaver.

Depending on your class size, you’ll have to remove/add some of these circuits; the one below is designed for a group size of 12 with partners of 2, or 18 with partners of 3.

This is a timed circuit. 2 minutes of straight exercise, followed by a 1 minute recovery period. I suggest you get a whistle.

1. Alternating Tire Pulls

This is a taxing exercise, no matter the length of the pull, it will leave your quads and calves burning and gasping for air. I recommend 20-35 ft for each pull. It’s long enough to get them burning, but short enough to alternate a few times.

Have your first participant start at your go line, and you’re second at the finish, once client 1 has reached the end point, client 2 can pick up and go immediately. If using a third, have them wait at the go line for client 2 to finish.

Set up is easy, go to your nearest SS Tire or tire repair center and ask for a retired tire, take your pick of sizes and enjoy. You can fashion a harness yourself, get creative, or use Google, it’s a wonderful thing.

2. Lunge and Jack

One of my personal favorites, 20-30 ft lunges (can use extra weight) with 40 jumping jacks on the end of each distance.

As we know, lunges are great for the glutes and quads and don’t forget the calves and shoulders for the jumping jacks. You’ll have your clients panting at the end of this one.

3.Sledgehammer Swings

For this you’ll need another tire, a big one. Get a few sizes of sledge hammers (6, 8, 10 etc).

Just like you’d chop wood or nail a stake into the ground, hit the wall of the tire with all your might

This is a great Ab workout with plenty of accessory muscles at work. The shoulders, lats, and arms all come into play here. You can have the clients alternate in 30 second or 30 hit intervals or let them all go at once. I recommend having multiple tires for this.

Since the tire absorbs a lot of the force of the hammer, it’s a low impact exercise but watch for that bounce back. Time to take some frustration out, take that hammer and let it out!

4. Plank to Sprint

Another cardio blaster here, hold a standard (or modified if needed) plank for 20 seconds (have them count aloud to one another), at the end of the time you’re client should bring their dominant leg up under them into a sprinters stance and take off into a full blown sprint.

I suggest shorter distances like 10-15 ft so 1: they don’t get too winded, and 2: you allow even distribution of each exercise.

5. Medicine Ball Pass to Jump Squat

Great for challenging each other and keeping pace with your partner.

Have your clients stand 10ft or so away from one another and chest pass an 8 or 10 lbs medicine ball 10 times (5 per person). At the end of that cycle, each person should do 5 jump squats, preferably together.

Squats are great for the lower back, quads, glutes and calves especially when you add in the plyometric movement of a jump, then add on to the chest; triceps and Ab torture you’re getting from the passes, gonna be sore tomorrow.

6. Lazy Burpee

Although the name may suggest it, this is far from your couch potatoes version of a workout.

Start in the down phase of the push up, explode up into the up phase of the pushup and immediately tuck your feet under you as if you are about to perform a  full blown burpee, finally kick your legs back out and go back to the down part of the pushup. Hence the “lazy” piece.

Repeat circuit as necessary to fill time allotment.

About Trevor

I’m a Graduate of the University of Kentuckly with my degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and an ACE CPT.

I have completed multiple races such as Tough Mudder, Spartan Races, and many other military obstacle course events. I enjoy all forms of exercise and live to be active. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in your personal or company pursuits.

More circuit workouts

Kyle here again.

Not to be a crazy salesman here or anything, but if you like circuits you may want to check out Leon Melnicenko’s new ebook Team Competition Circuits.

It comes with 40 circuit drills and a whole bunch of guides on how to improve running the business side of your bootcamp. Just thought I’d let you know!

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