[Charles Staley]

Jamie, not sure what your point is, but CF isn't simply circuit training. And even if it was, who cares whether or not it's new? It obviously appeals to a very large number of people who feel they're benefiting from it.

Additionally, CF is exposing many people to Olympic lifts, gymnastics skills, and other concepts that are very worthwhile.

I admire and respect the late Dr. Siff, but it's easy (and intellectually lazy) to criticize every new successful fitness trend by pointing out that "it's nothing new."

Originally Posted by coach hale

Circuit training is a hot topic in the fitness industry. Many fitness and internet gurus promote circuit training as the best all around fitness training method to maximize all around fitness with one workout. There are companies who have devoted all of their business efforts into spreading the gospel of circuit training. Needless to say, this information is incorrect and represents BS at it?s highest level. Circuit training is not a new concept. It?s origins date back to the early 1950s.

M Siff (2000 Supertraining) said the following regarding circuit
training:

"It should always be remembered that all forms of circuit training are largely suited to the average non-athlete or competitive athlete during the early preparatory phase of training. The constant progression in a circuit from one exercise to another without completeing all sets with one exercise to prescribed maximum number of repetitions before moving to the next exercise does not permit one to adequately develop the different types of sport specific strength. Even with interval circuit training on machines, it is not possible to train with the medium heavy, near maximal or explosive loading which is necessary to develop qualities such as muscle hypertrophy, speed-strength, strength-speed, static strength, flexibility-strength, explosive
strength, and acceleration strength. The length of the interval between successive sets of the same exercise depends on the number of stations in the circuit, so the larger the circuit, the less its ability to significantly develop any of the major sport-specific strength-related qualities."

Additional information is offered concerning the matter in my book Knowledge and Nonsense.

Thanks,
Jamie Hale
www.maxcondition.com