Is circuit training good for cardio?
David Jones
Updated on April 04, 2026
Circuit training is a high volume but low resistance weight workout with 2-3 minute rest intervals involving cardio, and is focused on improving muscle tone and definition while also improving cardiovascular fitness. It is a popular way of working out, especially if you are looking for variety in your workouts.
How long should a cardio circuit be?
The World Health Organization recommends that whatever type of cardio exercise you choose to do, you should do it for at least 10 minutes at a time to get the most benefits from it. If you engage in moderate-intensity workouts, such as a brisk walk, then 30 minutes every day can help you reap a variety of benefits.
What are the 4 circuit workout?
4 Ultra-high-intensity Circuit Training to Incinerate Your Belly…
- Lunges.
- Pushups.
- Squat.
- Pullups.
- Burpees.
Do you take breaks in circuit training?
Circuit training is a combination of cardio and strength exercises. The typical circuit training session takes about 20 minutes to complete. Short rest periods allow for a highly efficient workout that frees up time for additional exercise. Because of this, most people take about 20-30 second breaks between sets.
How many stations should a circuit have?
A typical circuit training workout includes about 8-10 exercise stations. After completing a station, instead of resting, you move quickly to the next station. A muscular strength and endurance circuit alternates muscle groups, such as upper body, lower body and core, so little or no rest is needed in between stations.
What will 20 minutes of cardio a day do?
The benefits of working out 20 minutes a day are the number of calories you burn. Twenty minutes of walking at a moderate pace will burn 80 to 111 calories, while 20 minutes of HIIT a day or a cardio circuit may burn 198 to 237 calories depending on whether you weigh 155 or 185 pounds respectively.
What is the difference between a circuit workout and cardio?
Cardio sessions involve repetitive movements at a sustained moderate intensity over a longer period of time, while circuit training involves performing a variety of different exercises — including cardio activities — in short bursts and at high intensity.