Fit for Her Life

by Phillip Hauenstein, Webmaster

     Why do most workouts fail?  Why do people tend to plateau?  Why do people give up before they achieve the results they set out to obtain?

     There are many answers to these questions.  Of most importance as a member of Fit for HER Life, is to understand the purpose of circuit training.  Circuit training is meant to be a high-intensity aerobic session meant to target fat loss, muscle building, and heart-lung fitness.  Unfortunately, making the best out of your workout is not just getting to the gym and going through the circuit.  It's important to recognize what will make your workout "intense."  A lackluster workout will not help you achieve the results you are expecting.

     How do you make circuit training "intense" if you can't add weight, add repetitions.  The circuit training is meant to be fast, but that doesn't mean you can't make each second count.  When you're there by yourself is probably the best time to make each second count.  See if you can request a faster song and work towards keeping your repetitions in time with a faster song for a harder workout.  If you want to start keeping track of your workouts, I highly suggest keeping a log for each machine.  Take the time to count how many repetitions you have for each machine and write them down between sets.  The next time you get back to the gym, try to do a few more than you did last time.

     What else can you do to make the best out of your workouts?  Make sure you heart rate is at a level consistent with your workout.  The chart below should help you to target where you need to keep your heart rate.  

At a minimum, members using circuit training should be within the Fat Burning Zone.  To improve your results and to maximize the use of your limited gym time, it would be beneficial to be within the Target Heart Rate Zone or higher.  Those that are prone to stress or heart disease should consider the impact of a highly intense workout on their conditions.  How can you monitor your heart rate during a workout?  The best way, is to purchase a heart rate monitor.  Some of the best ones to use are wireless.  They consist of a strap around your chest and a watch.  Some of the more detailed monitors also include tools to notify you when you are at, below, or above certain target heart rates.

     Fit for HER Life circuit training is the perfect fitness center to tone yourself.  So, why not make the best of it.  Committing to a long-term life change is the only way to make the best out of a circuit training workout.  It's difficult to see constant success and results if you can't commit to a workout for long enough.  The constant changing of the Fit for HER Life circuit order should help maximize your results.  

     What should you do in order to make the best of each visit to the gym?  Well, at a minimum of three times a week, why not make one of those days a little longer.  On one of the days you feel better, or have more time, go an extra circuit around.  If this happens to be one of those days you needed to cheat a little on your diet, go the extra mile to work it off.  

     The results that can be achieved through circuit training are extraordinary.  Too many workouts or detailed strength training gyms obtain results that are asymmetrical or provide lopsided results.  The point of circuit training is not to provide you with a totally muscular body, but it's meant to build a tone body.  A toned body is muscular in it's own way, but does not look out of place.  Circuit training is meant to tighten up the loose areas and burn the fat.  Fit for HER Life's newest machine, the "Rotary Torso" will help you burn the spare tire/oblique area.  Manage your club membership so that you get the best results you can.  

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33