14 Circuit Training Exercises That Are Excellent Fitness Exercise Programs

Circuit Training is a great way to combine cardio and strength exercise when you're short on time. The goal of circuit training is to keep you moving and only allow minimal breaks between exercises. If you absolutely must rest, take 10 seconds to walk around and then start again. Whatever you do, the key to a successful weight loss workout is not to stop moving.

The following belly fat exercises target one or two specific muscles by working the fatigue factor on those particular muscles. As you increase the intensity of your workout, circuit training causes you to challenge your strength while pushing your body aerobically. You should be progress through the workout and keep your heart rate up. This allows you to reap the same benefits as the guy who mindlessly logs all those miles on the treadmill. Also, fewer rest periods help your muscles grow.

The following circuit workout is a great weight loss workout. Complete each of the following fitness workout one after the other, with no more than 10 seconds of rest between each. Do at least 10 of the following exercises for the specified amount of time or repetitions (or as long as you can safely do so) and then move to the next exercise. Complete all exercises and you will have one circuit. Try to do at least 2 circuits. Ensure you warm up with 5-10 minutes of light cardio and cool down with 10 minutes of stretching.

1. Push Ups (also known as Press-Ups) - On Knees or Toes - Complete 2 sets, first on the ground and the second with a BOSU Ball facing down (if you have one) for 30 seconds.

2. Squats with Front Kick - Stand with your feet together. Bring your right knee up and extend the leg in a front kick, but don't lock your knee! Lower down into a low squat (knees behind toes) and then kick with your left leg. Repeat (right kick, squat, left kick) for 1 minute.

3. Lunge with Biceps Curls - In split stance, slowly lower into lunge (front and back legs at 90 degrees), and curl your forearms towards shoulders. Complete 20-30 seconds on each leg.

4. Burpies – one of the most tiring belly fat exercises. Great to burn calories. Start in a standing position, squat down and place your hands on the floor. Kick your legs out behind you, hold for a second and then bring your legs back to your hands. Next, jump off the floor, straightening up at the waist and jumping as high as you can. After you land, bring your hands to the floor once again; this equals one repetition.

5. Low Side-Step – this belly fat exercises targets your butt and legs
a. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, arms at sides.
b. Step right foot a stride's length to right side, then squat down, bending both knees and raising arms in front of chest.
c. Stand up, moving left foot toward right foot, hip-distance apart, and lower arms.
d. Continue side-stepping and squatting to right for 30 seconds, then side-step 30 seconds to left.

6. Plank Lift – one the best weight loss workout focuses on your core, legs and chest
a. Begin facedown, balancing on elbows and toes with body in a straight line, abs tight.
b. Keeping legs straight, lift hips toward ceiling, forming an inverted V. Next lower to start position. Continue lifting and lowering hips for 30 seconds, then hold the straight plank position for 30 seconds.

7. High Knees - Running on the spot pick your knees up to waist height and pump your arms. Try doing this same exercise running for 25 yards.

8. Treadmill – try these exercises without starting the treadmill.
a. Manually make the treadmill move without the power (hold on to the handles and push with your legs).
b. Hold the forward handles of treadmill. With your feet at the bottom of the treadmill, hop forward from the bottom of the treadmill (about 12”) and without picking up your feet, push back on the treadmill with your feet).
c. Lie down on the treadmill, facing up with your feet at the bottom. Grab the handles with an outward grip (palms facing out), pull yourself up and then slowly let yourself down. Repeat for 20 seconds. Stay in control.

Next use Dumbbells to supplement your fitness workout. Pick any 2 of the following arm exercises and 1 leg exercise to the above workout. You can add 1 – 2 more exercises as you get in better shape or you can substitute more barbell exercises for some of the above weight loss workout. I always recommend to people that are just beginning circuit, to start by using weights that are comfortable (not too heavy), but that do result in a “burn” as you get to reps 6 – 8.

9. Arm Curls
a. Stand upright with dumbells at your sides.
b. Turn palms inward so they face your body.
c. Curl dumbbells up slowly keeping your elbows at your side. Keep your back straight throughout the exercise. If you can’t do this, then you are using too much weight.

10. Overhead Triceps Extensions
a. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart.
b. Hold dumbbell directly above head with arm fully extended. Clasp elbow with free hand for support.
c. Slowly let elbow fold so dumbbell is lowered behind head. 4. Extend arm back to starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps and switch arms.

11. Flat Chest Presses
a. Lying flat on a bench, hold dumbbells directly above your chest (arms extended).
b. In a slow, but controlled manner, lower the dumbbells to your chest. Ensure you exhale as you lower the dumbbells and inhale as you raise them.
c. Push the dumbbells back to starting position and repeat. Never lock your elbows.

12. Dumbbell Lunges – my favorite fitness workout to strengthen leg muscles
a. Holding dumbbells at your side, stand upright with feet hip width apart.
b. Step forward about 2 feet with one foot and bend your knee to about 90 degrees. As you plant your foot, bend the trailing knee until it nearly touches the floor.
c. Push off with front foot and return to starting position. Repeat for 30 seconds and change legs.

13. Lateral Raises
a. Stand upright, knees slightly bent, feet shoulder width apart, holding dumbbells at your sides.
b. Bend elbows slightly and raise the dumbbells out to sides. Keep elbows slightly bent throughout.
c. When arms are parallel to floor, slowly lower back and repeat. To benefit most from this workout, raise the dumbbells no higher than your shoulders

14. Shrugs
a. Stand upright, feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
b. Keeping arms straight 'shrug' shoulders as high as possible and hold for a count of 3.
c. Relax and repeat. For this exercise to work best, do not roll shoulders when you shrug.

Finish your circuit training workout by stretching for 10 minutes. Ensure you stretch your hamstrings & quads.

Check out more fat burning exercises at Workouts that Burn Fat and Tone Muscle