Group fitness classes are an enjoyable solution to get lively and get social, whether you’re into spin, yoga, barre, Pilates, or boot camp-style workouts. Typically you’ll find two kinds of strength workouts—circuit training and high intensity interval training (HIIT). 

So, what’s the difference between circuit training vs HIIT?

Each circuit training and HIIT feature intervals of activity and movement interspersed with periods of rest. Nevertheless, they differ in duration, intensity, and kinds of exercises performed.

#1 Duration

One major difference between circuit training vs interval training is the length of every individual exercise and the workout as a complete. Let’s take a deeper dive into how each workout is structured:

• HIIT – HIIT pairs temporary bursts of high intensity exercise with longer periods of rest or lively recovery to extend your heart rate and jumpstart your metabolism—think sprinting all out for a minute followed by just a few minutes of walking or jogging.
• Circuit training – Circuit training typically goals to focus on each major muscle group by incorporating individual stations where one exercise is performed.1 Each station includes a different variety of movement, with the goal being to either complete a selected variety of repetitions before switching to the following station or to work for a set time frame (normally just a few minutes), with a brief rest period in between. 

Although HIIT does feature a circuit structure where you turn between different movements, that is compressed right into a much shorter window of time, often between 10 to half-hour.2 This may make HIIT classes a terrific option if you desire to squeeze in a top quality workout in a brief time frame. 

Then again, a circuit workout is performed at a less intense pace, making these full-body workouts for much longer—anywhere from half-hour to an hour. 

#2 Intensity

One other solution to differentiate between HIIT vs circuit training is by noting the intensity of every workout. 

Just because the name implies, HIIT classes may be pretty intense! What can we mean after we say high intensity? “High intensity” is normally defined as reaching a minimum of 80% of your heart rate’s maximum capability during exercise.3 That said, HIIT goals to hit that benchmark through the lively intervals, with lively recovery or rest periods in between. 

The ferocity of a HIIT workout provides several advantages that include:

• Burning calories and fat faster
• Improving your muscle’s ability to make use of oxygen
• Boosting your aerobic and anaerobic performance
• Potentially lowering blood pressure and blood sugar

Circuit training workouts are typically performed at low or moderate intensity over an extended stretch of time, making it a terrific option for somebody who desires to get a comprehensive full-body workout without putting their body under an excessive amount of stress. Circuit training can be easy to scale up or down in intensity, allowing you to regulate to your individual individual preferences.

That said, circuit training may help to:

• Improve muscle endurance
• Increase muscle strength
• Jumpstart your metabolism
• Promote weight loss4

#3 Forms of Exercise

While you would possibly find lots of the same movements in a HIIT or a circuit training workout, the best way that you simply perform each exercise differs since each variety of exercise goals to attain a special end result—circuit training goals to enhance cardiovascular and muscular fitness level, while a HIIT session goals to burn fat and carbohydrates. 

That being said, HIIT focuses on high-intensity movements that increase your heart rate, including cardio and body weight routines. This may variety of workout can include:5:

• Sprints
• Mountain climbers
• Plank jumping jacks
• Star jumps
• Burpees

Circuit training classes will normally aim to work out your whole major muscle groups, supplying you with a terrific head-to-toe sweat session. Because circuit training typically includes a variety of different stations, you’ll also perform a wide range of movements. A typical circuit training class will consist of high-volume, low-resistance exercises:

• Body weight exercises like squats, lunges, or push ups
• A cardio workout like jump rope, jogging, or jumping jacks
• Curls or squats using light weights, kettlebells, or medicine balls
• Energetic recovery movements where you stretch or walk

It’s a fun solution to get a full-body workout in while also keeping movement fresh and interesting! It also offers the advantages of each strength training and aerobic activity, which may each have major mood-boosting and heart-supporting advantages.4

Diving to circuit training or HIIT routine without preparing your body can have consequences. So it’s natural to have questions before trying either workout, equivalent to, “Should I work out while sore?” or “What to eat before a workout?” These are fair inquiries to ask especially when you find yourself considering other exercises, equivalent to StairMaster workouts, barre workouts, or Yoga vs Pilates workouts.

Circuit Training and HIIT at Chuze Fitness

Whether you’re a circuit training superstar or a HIIT fanatic, you’ll discover a workout that you simply love at Chuze Fitness. We’re all about keeping fitness fun and friendly with a wide range of team training, yoga, and Zumba fitness classes. While figuring out, you possibly can even hearken to our Spotify workout playlist. Ensure that to look for “gyms near me” to seek out your local Chuze Fitness location  to attend our classes.

Find certainly one of our ultra-clean, ultra-affordable locations near you and join the fun today. 

Reviewed By:

Ani is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She’s had a 25+ yr profession in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives together with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.

Sources:

1. Hospital For Special Surgery. What’s the Difference Between Circuit and HIIT. https://www.hss.edu/playbook/whats-the-difference-between-circuit-training-and-hiit/
2. Healthline. Advantages of HIIT. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-hiit#what-it-is
3. Vox. Learn how to Get the Most Out of Your Exercise Time, In keeping with Science. https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/1/10/18148463/high-intensity-interval-training-hiit-orangetheory
4. Healthline. Advantages of Circuit Training. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/benefits-of-circuit-training#advantages 
5.  Shape. HIIT Workout Exercise. https://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/hiit-workout-exercises 
6. Healthline. The Advantages of Circuit Training Include Busting Boredom and Getting Fit, Fast. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/benefits-of-circuit-training