By Introduction
Circuit Training – what a terrific way to improve posture and back strength! This combination of strength and cardio exercises helps the body to move better. Plus, it can reduce injury risk, and benefit your overall health.
Let’s explore the basics of circuit training and how it can help you strengthen your spine and posture!
Benefits of circuit training for spine health
Circuit training is a must for any spine-strengthening and postural correction program. It’s a combo of cardio and resistance training. Your strength battles gravity and you get better at balance, coordination, and stability too. Circuit training’s about doing exercise sequences with low demand levels due to short rests. This helps physical endurance and weight loss.
Regular sessions benefit your spine by helping joint mobility, flexibility, and proprioceptive awareness. That’s sensing position in space relative to other things. All these help reduce tension on the spine. They also teach proper alignment, strengthen core and non-core muscles, and increase blood flow with oxygen-filled blood.
You also get other benefits:
- Aerobic capacity over time increases.
- Coordination, balance, and muscular endurance too.
- You reduce body fat, tone chest and arms.
- Focus on daily tasks.
- Reduce mental/emotional stress.
- Stop slumping during work or leisure activities.
Warm Up
Before any serious circuit training, warm up the spine! This will make it flexible and less prone to injury.
Dynamic stretching, foam rolling, and a light jog? All great ways to warm up the spine and get it ready for circuit training.
Stretching exercises
Stretching exercises can help strengthen your spine and improve your posture. They make the muscles attached to your spine more flexible. This reduces tension on your spine, which means less back pain and discomfort. To get the most out of stretching, do them regularly and use proper form.
Great stretches for your spine include:
- Cat-Camel: Start on hands and knees in a neutral spine position. Then arch backward like a cat and forward like a camel. Keep your abdominal muscles tight.
- Lumbar Rotations: Stand with feet hip width apart and arms out in front. Slowly rotate your waist to one side as far as possible. Pause for five seconds before rotating back. Repeat on other side.
- Seated Spinal Twist: Sit with legs crossed in front of you. Keep both shoulders upright. Twist torso at waist over one leg as far as possible. Pause for five seconds. Return to center. Repeat on other side.
Yoga or Pilates can also help by helping you maintain correct alignment and building core strength.
Cardiovascular exercises
Cardio exercises are essential for circuit training. These can be running, cycling, jump rope, or any activity that gets your heart rate up. Gradually up the intensity until you reach your desired level, then take a break. Repeat this cycle 3-5 times based on your fitness level and goals.
Swimming, rowing, and stair climbing are also great for circuit training. Start with moderate intensity then increase it as you become more comfortable. Aim for 60 seconds of vigorous activity followed by 30 seconds of lower intensity. Don’t forget to warm up with light stretching and aerobic activity like jogging or walking on the treadmill.
Core Exercises
Make your spine and posture stronger with core exercises! Strengthening your core is key for healthy spinal health. Get the most out of your exercises with circuit training. Here are some of the best core exercises for circuit training:
Plank
Plank is a core exercise. You balance on your toes and forearms, with palms flat on the floor and shoulders above your elbows. All the muscles in your abdominal area are engaged. This includes obliques and rectus abdominis.
It’s both strength and endurance. It’s important to use correct form. Adjust intensity by varying time spent holding each position instead of adding movement. Start with five reps of 10-second holds. Increase to three sets of 45-second holds as you get stronger.
Bird Dog
The bird dog is a core exercise. It helps strengthen your spine and improve posture.
Do it on all fours or standing against a wall. When on all fours, stand with a neutral spine and pelvis. Hips leveled with shoulder blades. When against the wall, stand upright with good posture and neutral spine and pelvis.
Extend one arm forward as if to reach something 2ft away. Simultaneously kick back the opposite leg without losing form or balance. Feel the engagement of both arm and leg muscles. Hold for 2-3 seconds. Then slowly return to starting position. That’s 1 rep.
Do 8-10 reps per side per set. Do 2-3 sets with 10 reps each.
Supermans
Supermans are a simple, effective core exercise! Lie face down on a mat, arms stretched out in front. Lift both arms and legs off the floor a few inches. Make it more challenging with weights or ankle weights. Best done as part of a circuit training routine.
Strengthen the spine and target core muscles like abs, obliques, glutes, and lower back. Improves posture and stability during daily activities. With consistent practice Supermans help tone the upper and lower body while activating deep fascia support.
Upper Body Exercises
Strengthen your spine and improve your posture by doing upper body exercises! Circuit training is perfect for targeting your upper body. It involves doing different exercises one after the other. Here are some of the most beneficial upper body exercises you can use to build strength and better your posture:
Push-ups
Push-ups are great for strengthening your upper body. You work multiple muscles in your chest, shoulders and triceps. When starting, keep these tips in mind:
- Focus on good form. Lie flat, hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Maintain a straight line between your head and heels. Brace your abs, squeeze your glutes and drive from the floor with your arms. Press up until arms are fully extended without locking or hyperextending your elbows. Keep a slight bend in the elbows.
- Press up off the ground, then return to start position. Breathe deeply and rest for 30 seconds between sets.
Pull-ups
Pull-ups are great for beefing up your upper body, specifically your core and back. A basic one is a chin-up. Start standing, clasp the bar overhand at shoulder-width. Then, pull up until your chin is over the bar. You’ll need to recruit many muscles to lift your bodyweight from a hanging position.
Getting enough strength and technique can be tricky. To build the needed strength, try assisted exercises like ‘Partner Pull-Ups’ or ‘Band Assisted Pull-Ups’. You can also try one arm at a time (Single Arm Pull Up) or jumping on top of the bar (Kipping).
Remember to keep proper form. Engage the right muscles and don’t rush through the movement. Consistency is better than speed when building strength. Perfect each rep and you’ll be strong soon!
Shoulder Presses
Shoulder presses are a great way to strengthen your upper back, shoulders, and arms. Plus, they improve posture too! This move is usually done with either dumbbells or weight plates. But you can still do it with lighter hand weights or even no weight.
Here’s how:
- Stand tall, feet hip-width apart. Core engaged, eyes facing forward.
- Raise your arms to the sides, parallel to the ground and in line with your shoulders.
- Engage your core by drawing your belly button in. This will stabilize your body.
- Keep chest lifted, press upward slowly and controlled until elbows completely straighten above head.
- Lower down slowly until elbows reach shoulder height again.
- Do 10 reps per set. Breathe in through nose on lower phase, exhale through mouth on upward phases.
- Beginners can use light weights (3 pounds or less). Intermediates may use heavier hand weights or weight plates.
Lower Body Exercises
Circuit train and strengthen your spine! Improve posture with lower body exercises. Squats, lunges and leg presses are great choices. Include these in your circuit routine for a targeted lower body workout.
Squats
Squats are great for core and spine strengthening. They can burn fat and build muscle due to their effects on the legs’ large muscles.
The bodyweight squat is a great place to start. To build more muscle, use free weights like barbells and dumbbells.
For external loading squats, stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart and toes slightly pointed out. Hold the weight close to your chest with a tight core. Shoulder blades should be pulled back and gaze forward.
As you squat down, bring your hips first until below parallel. Push into the ground and don’t lock out at full extension. Don’t allow momentum or cheating too light. Aim for 8-15 reps per set. Add weight when ready and keep proper form.
Lunges
Lunges are a popular lower body exercise. They target multiple muscles and help with balance and coordination. Start with feet together and hold dumbbells at the sides.
- Step forward with one foot and bend the knee. Keep back straight, eyes forward and chest up.
- Push into the front heel to return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.
Linking another exercise with lunges creates an effective circuit training circuit. Improve balance, coordination and strength!
Glute Bridges
Do glute bridges and hip raises to build your lower body strength and improve posture. This exercise is great for targeting glutes, hamstrings and inner thighs.
Glute bridges on the floor. Lie on your back, with bent knees and feet hip-width apart. Squeeze glutes to raise hips off the floor in line with shoulders and knees. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Aim for 3 sets of 10-12 reps.
Hip raises work on strengthening hamstring muscles. Lie flat on the floor on one side. Bend both knees towards chest, with feet stacked. Lift one knee as if climbing stairs. Squeeze at top, then lower. Swap sides. Aim for 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg.
Cool Down
Once you’re done with your circuit training sesh, it’s essential to cool down and stretch. Cooling down will help your body go back to normal and avoid any harm. Not sure how to cool down? Read on for tips to make the most of your post-workout cool down!
- Take a few minutes to walk or jog at an easy pace.
- Do some dynamic stretching, such as leg swings, arm circles, and torso twists.
- Hold static stretches for 10-30 seconds each.
- Focus on breathing and relaxing your muscles as you stretch.
- Finish your cool down with a few minutes of mindfulness and deep breathing.
Stretching exercises
Stretching exercises are key for any good circuit training program. After the cardio part, it’s essential to cool down and stretch to increase your flexibility and reduce soreness. The following exercises are for a healthy spine and good posture:
Flexibility helps your skeletal system stay aligned. Doing these exercises keeps your spine strong and flexible. Staying active while stretching helps keep your flexibility as you age. This is important for long-term back health.
- Cat Stretch: Get on all fours with hands below your shoulders. Tuck your chin in, arch your back and keep abs tight. Inhale deeply and exhale with emphasis while rounding your upper body. Repeat 10 times.
- Child’s Pose: Kneel on the floor with knees slightly apart. Lean forward with arms extended above your head. Rest forehead on mat or towel. Feel your whole spine tense up as your body weight moves forward. Then relax each segment as tension releases over several breaths. Repeat 3 times.
- Bird Dog: Get on all fours. Raise opposite arm and leg parallel to each other. Hold for 6-10 seconds before switching sides. Draw shoulder blades together in back for extra stretch through midback muscles. Repeat 8 times on each side.
- Standing Torso Rotation: Stand upright with feet slightly wider than shoulder distance apart. Cross arms at chest level. Twist away from one side using core muscles only. Hold final rotation position for 3 seconds. Repeat 8 times before switching sides.
Foam rolling
Foam rolling is a great way to aid recovery after circuit training and reduce muscle soreness. It encourages blood flow to the muscles and connective tissue. This helps with increased flexibility, faster rehabilitation from injury and a greater range of movement. Plus, it helps improve spinal alignment by restoring proper muscle structure.
Foam rolling should be done after each session. Start with small circles across the area until the foam roller presses into the muscles. This may be uncomfortable at first, but it’ll get easier as the body gets used to it. Roll both sides for 10-20 seconds each muscle group. Focus on areas that need attention – quads, IT bands, calves, glutes, chest and back.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is circuit training?
Circuit training is a type of workout that involves a combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercises. It consists of a set of exercises performed in a sequence with little to no rest in between.
2. How can circuit training help me to strengthen my spine and improve my posture?
Circuit training exercises are designed to target multiple muscle groups, including those responsible for maintaining good posture and supporting the spine. These exercises help to strengthen the muscles in your back, shoulders, and core, which in turn will improve your posture and reduce your risk of spinal injuries.
3. Is circuit training suitable for everyone?
Circuit training can be modified to suit individuals of different fitness levels and training goals. However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition or if you are unsure about your suitability for circuit training, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
4. What are some examples of circuit training exercises that can strengthen my spine and improve my posture?
Examples of circuit training exercises that can help to strengthen your spine and improve your posture include planks, back extensions, push-ups, squats, lunges, and rows.
5. How often should I perform circuit training to see results?
To see significant improvements, it is recommended that you perform circuit training exercises for at least 30 minutes a day, three to five days a week. However, the frequency and intensity of your circuit training sessions should be based on your individual fitness level and training goals.
6. Can circuit training help with weight loss?
Circuit training is a highly effective way to burn calories and increase your metabolism, which can assist with weight loss. However, the amount of weight you lose will depend on a variety of factors, including your diet and the frequency, intensity, and duration of your circuit training sessions.
