I have been doing very circuit based training (mostly) for about 20 years with calisthenics, sandbags, formerly a barbell but now I have moved to using kettlebells, and I am 43 and in great shape. Zero injuries and a gas tank that won't quit. It really works and is absolutely viable for older people.
Hey man, I want to tell you your videos are fantastic, no biased information, just pure gold. It is either very intense effort with high rest or moderate effort with low rest
I did circuits for a couple of years, and did include a weight vest for a good chunk of that. I built a LOT of muscle with circuits, and my workouts were shorter.
really interesting and unique video, actually caused me to self-reflect upon my own training.... I think one of the reasons I gravitate to straight sets so much, is purely psychological.... that is, given teaching and fatherhood and the multitasking I employ to adapt to those roles, when it comes to my training, I aim to focus all my attention on "movement 1", then 2, 3 = really "sink down" into a movement, "explore it" fully for a focal point in time, then move to next movement, then move back into "life" 🤔... really dug this video
Hey I'm really glad you liked it! That actually makes a lot of sense and I can definitely see there being something to that I hadn't thought about before. Most of the jobs I've had have been much more physical than mental. I've had to make tough decisions but for the most part there wasn't much critical thinking involved. I can see how the simplicity of focusing on one exercise like that would be a nice break from all the mental gymnastics I'm sure you go through on a daily basis! Actually puts your training style into a new light, awesome comment!!
I really love your videos. Feels like talking to a passionate friend who has a lot of curiosity and put a lot of thought into their personal fitness journey. Way easier to relate to than these squeaky clean clinical and predictable personal trainer UA-cam channels.
Hey thank you I really appreciate that! Just trying to make the best videos I can 🙂 it does often feel like the heart and soul is missing from some of those channels I know what you mean, glad I could make something that feels real!
Man this is a great video, very informative for those wondering about how to get both strength and endurance out of bodyweight exercises there's a lot of information packed in under 15 minutes. Most if not all beginners will find this very helpful before starting out Calisthenics, and I am sure practitioners at other levels will also. Before the internet was a widespread thing I did some high rep calisthenics stuff during the early 1990s but there was no "improvement plan over time" , and later around the mid 2010s came across a Calisthenics book that focused on progressive calisthenics but kinda downplayed high rep calisthenics training. The information in this video would have been fantastic to have in both cases.
Wow thank you I really appreciate that!! You have some real experience with this stuff. I was kinda taken in by the idea that high rep calisthenics stuff doesn't work as well when I was first starting, it seems like that's what everyone was saying. Eventually I just had to try for myself and I couldn't believe how great it was!!
@@thestonecircle wouldn't say experience more like trying it the wrong way before moving onto gym machines and treadmill X D . Thanks for the good video.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one Cody. I actually find I feel my best doing circuits. Even though they are super hard you feel rejuvenated by the end of it. I've been doing more straight sets at the gym this winter but as spring comes I'll probably transition to circuits and get in "fighting shape" for the summer. There's this guy I follow who has this cool idea of "seasonally adjusted fitness". In winter you build strength. In spring it's speed. By summer its more endurance and fall is meant to strengthen the joints and prepare for the winter arc again.
Hey I'm glad you liked it!! That's really cool I like that way of looking at things. I imagine if most of us in 2024 weren't so disconnected from the seasons there'd be more people using a seasonal approach like that. I found myself naturally going to straight sets during the first few months of winter too, but man does it feel good to be back with the circuits. I agree with you 100% I feel my best when I'm doing at least 1 or 2 of them a week!
A true pleasure to watch! 👍On point with the facts, and also beautiful video editing. I personally prefer straight sets of challenging exercises with long pauses in between, btw.
Absolutely phenomenal vid brother. I think I’ll be hitting up these ten downs - should be mentally refreshing, a different way of hitting a pb. Perhaps a drink and a circuit lad like. And as someone with a very very physical and brutal job, residential drain repairs, I can back up what you said - strength endurance is king in the real world. 10 hours of digging rock hard ground and carrying buckets of spoil up stairs doesn’t care about your one rep max lol.
DAMN that is a brutal job!! I think you would know better than anyone! Also, hell yes I would love to see the drunken pirate version of calisthenics circuits hahah
@@thestonecircle yeah man, it’s hard fukn work, some of the hardest there is.. and even within the industry most are pussies imo. Those of us that are real with that inner animal though… what can I say I’ve met some characters haha. But yes drunken pirate circuit will definitely happen and obviously be recorded. I’d love to do that this weekend, probably not possible, but we will see haha.
@@thestonecircle as for “thank you” - I mean it man, your content is the best. It’s just real, it’s informative but doesn’t drift off into boring bullshit like many, the point is always clear… no gimmicks, no fake natties with their dumb ideas, your stuff is just solid 👌
@StopTheDamnTape if more people realized what it takes to keep these cities running haha, you guys deserve way more recognition for what you do. I believe you've met some real interesting people haha. I've been watching this construction crew near one of my jobs for 6 months now. They've been giving me kinda a bad impression of what 'manual labor' actually is, as I've never seen a single one of them lift anything heavier than a 2x4. The machines do every bit of it for them. Makes things really efficient and if I could choose to use a machine or not I know I'd probably choose the machine too, but I always had this thought in the back of my head that there are legends out there carrying heavy shit all day haha. Started to crush that thought a bit, but you're work sounds way more difficult! Carrying the torch of badassery
Awesome,informative video! I personally prefer circuit style of calisthenics,just enjoy that method much more! I find this complements heavy sandbag work well too. Such a great video!!!
Hey thank you!! I agree 100% calisthenics circuits and heavy sandbags go so well together! You get the best of everything, max strength and power, strength endurance, cardio, muscle, you can't go wrong!
It also depends on how you design your circuits. There’s a big difference between a 10 down circuit of just one exercise and a 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats circuit. The former would be much more hypertrophic while the later will be much more cardio demanding. As a rule of thumb, the closer you get to failure in each set, no matter if it’s a circuit or just straight sets, the more hypertrophy you’re going to get. On the other hand, if you want to maximize the cardio demand then you should try to rotate between different exercises that target different parts of the body and never get close to failure, so that you can be in a constant state of movement while your heart is forced to pump blood constantly (this is basically a form of peripheral heart action training).
Hey yes great points! What I've found, particularly with the upper body push/pull/abs circuits like the example from the vid, is at a certain point everything works together. If you do a 10 down on pullups, there will most likely be times when you're standing there or pacing a bit between reps. These circuits let you fill in those gaps with more work. Initially the cardio demand will hold you back, but once you build that up I've found everything stays close to failure, because there's so little rest between movements. In that way you're able to get the muscle building effects that come from staying at or close to failure, and the cardio effects from never stopping. It's brutal though, that's the trade off, it's a very intense way to train! I usually stick to upper body because that extra blood flow to the lower body does make the cardio demand way higher, and I find it's a lot more difficult to get anywhere near failure doing bodyweight leg exercises in a circuit fashion (not that it can't be done I'm sure!)
@@thestonecircle definitely! I think if you are just doing body weight you can use basic leg exercises such as squats or lunges more like a form of active recovery or even just straight up cardio exercise. As you say, you’re not going to achieve crazy hypertrophy gains in the legs, but your cardio and endurance is going to be through the roof. Otherwise, you can choose a weighted variation and just stay away from failure, maybe doing 5 reps with your 10RM or 10 reps with your 20RM. The first sets of the circuit are going to feel easy, but if you keep doing laps you’re going to accumulate a pretty high volume of reps at a decent intensity, which for sure is going to induce some hypertrophy. But, yes, that’s what I was saying, a 10 down circuit feels more like a rest pause set or a cluster set, I wouldn’t call that circuit training. It’s more like straight sets with short rest periods and incomplete recovery.
I just started doing circuits and i freaking love them! Like you said, they feel rejuvenating, i have had shoulder pain for over a month now and the day after doing circuit my shoulder had almost no pain
Another fun thing i will be sure to try. I usually do the normal 3x8-10. per exercise and then rest inbetween all 3 etc. it can get stale fast. And the added conditioning from doing circuits is perhaps more of what i seek these days. Lifting heavy is cool and all but being able to live day to day without running out of breath is cooler
Yes exactly! No point being strong if you get gassed out right away haha. If you're interested/ haven't watched it already, I go into a lot of detail on calisthenics circuits in this vid! ua-cam.com/video/LS6diZH83ds/v-deo.htmlsi=4EYAtrbA9wbH5_j3
I don't know how to write this comment without sounding like a comparison, but I have to say it: "Man this feels like I'm watching a The Bioneer video, but at the same times it's a more in depth and personal exploration of the topic" (and that's good!)
PS: Circuits are brutal, so brutal in fact that the willpower gains they bring are way more relevant to me than the hypertrophy... Pure disconfort and struggle 😬
I believe straight sets are superior for muscle growth. Not saying you can’t build muscle through circuit training, but getting all your sets of pull-ups (or whatever muscle group you’re training) done before moving onto the next muscle group will maximize hypertrophy. Especially if you give yourself adequate rest times. Not everything has to be done at super high intensity or done within a short amount of time. Taking 2-3 minutes of rest between sets is severely underrated in the calisthenics community.
That's definitely my favorite part about straight sets. After a long time it can be tough mentally to get yourself amped up enough to do a full circuit at the intensity level needed to see gains. The straight sets to failure with good rest times feels like a break after that haha
Also, your page is one of my new favorites. I have been looking into sandbags recently and came across your channel! You’ve definitely made me want to add sandbags into my workouts. Great stuff man. Keep it up! 🤙🏼
For conditioning and general fitness or GPP purposes, I find circuit training superior. For general goal focused strength training, I find straight sets and similar variants most optimal. In the end tho, I find it all depends on your experience, strength, and for calisthenics sake, bodyweight. Most guys my bodyweight (250-260) would make little to no progress doing calisthenics on a straight set protocol without having assistance equipment
Hey man, love your channel and the approach to training! You say that the form of progression for circuits is getting faster. What do you think about a weighted vest though, and how would implement it? For example with a 10 down workout? When should i implement a weighted vest?
Hey I'm glad you like it! You could definitely add a weighted vest, I've had good success with that in the past. I had a circuit that originally took me 40 minutes, and once I could do it in 20 I added the vest and kept at it. You could add it anytime though!
@@thestonecirclealright, thank you! Set up 3 different circuits like you mentioned, 6,5,4 reps x4 sets. As soon as the time gets significantly down, i might add a vest. :)
something ive been doing between straight sets and circuits is intentionally increasing the density of certain compound movements. ill do a something like a 10x3 on squats and only add weight when i can get the 30 reps in 10 minutes or under, or Ill set a timer for 10min and just try to get as many reps as possible however i am able
How's it working for you? I love that training style, decreasing time is a great way to improve with anything for sure! Have you read the book 'escalating density training' by Charles Staley? I think you'd like it if you havent!
@@thestonecircle i like it a lot because its fun really. i dont have to lock in for 3 hard sets i just have to stay locked in for 10min. ill give that book a look!
Great video! I'm currently doing 1 push 1 pull 1 leg exercise about 5 times a week with just the basic calisthenics moves push ups/ pull ups etc. and have been trying to figure out the best way to split up my straight reps and circuit training so that I'm hitting both as equal as possible. What would be the best approach for this.
Hey thank you I'm glad you liked it! That's an awesome setup! Staying with 5 days per week, if it were me I'd probably do something like Circuits on Monday Wednesday Friday, and go for straight sets on Tuesday and Saturday. In that way the circuits would give you a lot of volume and the straight sets could be geared more towards strength
Sorry it's under this video, but watching your videos I am more than willing to try the sandbag workouts. Do you have any recommendations on how to create your own sandbag cheaply? I'd start with heavier weights (considering at least 75kg, maybe 100kg), how can I make one with the casual items?
Always glad to talk about sandbags! Cheapest way is to check thrift stores for a canvas bag of some kind. You'll want canvas or another material with a rough texture. Line it with a bunch of cheap trash bags (you can use contractor bags if you have them, but they're way more expensive) and fill it with sand!
The feel I'm getting from you is something that you don't see very often anymore. You really want to spread your insights onto others. The passion I see in you and the willingness and openness to share... Hats off! I'm similar, but more with stretching and injury prevention. I guess what I'm trying to say is stay true to what you believe in. You only replied to my only ever comment, but I appreciate it. I'll catch up with your videos and then stick around to see where you take us, the viewers.
@hanzok2230 thank you I really appreciate that! Just trying to make videos that I like. I know what you mean about a lot of current youtube stuff too, so many people seem to be missing that personal touch, like they only ever go deep enough to get to a point where they can sell you something
Wondered when someone would catch that! I've gone full on sandbag to shoulder specialization mode so I dropped barbell stuff for now. I have been working in some sandbag box squats here and there though. Quads seem to be maintaining!
@@thestonecircleright on, I've expereinced something similar. I'm on a Fat Cut, doing Dan John's "Easy Strength for Fat Loss," which has light KB goblet squats and/or Turkish Get-Ups as a warm-up, medium deadlifts, KB Swings, and a walk after as part of the routine (along with press, chins, abroll, carry). Once a week, before a rest day I'll do "Armor Building Complex" KB circuits, which include double KB front squats. My quads are popping, and my deadlift is rising, although I bet I can't back squat as much anymore
@Cole205 that's awesome you can't go wrong with anything from Dan John, I've learned so much from him! Always loved that description, 'armor building'. I noticed the same with my deadlifts too, when I finally added some size to my quads I felt a lot stronger off the floor. Good luck with the training I hope it goes well, time to get lean for the warm weather on the way!!
They seem to work really well! I've always preferred using weights for leg training but I think the bodyweight stuff could work just as well if you work hard enough at it!
@@thestonecircle thanks for the response! I've been a fan of you since a couple of days, you are a breath of fresh air in the youtube fitness community, really unique style.
![Straight Sets vs Circuits [Benefits of and When To Do Each] | Coach MANdler](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/exb8GuwS7Nw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Straight Sets vs Circuits [Benefits of and When To Do Each] | Coach MANdler](/img/tr.png)
I have been doing very circuit based training (mostly) for about 20 years with calisthenics, sandbags, formerly a barbell but now I have moved to using kettlebells, and I am 43 and in great shape. Zero injuries and a gas tank that won't quit. It really works and is absolutely viable for older people.
Awesome endorsement for circuit training! Makes me want to keep going with it myself 🙂
Hey man, I want to tell you your videos are fantastic, no biased information, just pure gold. It is either very intense effort with high rest or moderate effort with low rest
Thank you I really appreciate that!!
I did circuits for a couple of years, and did include a weight vest for a good chunk of that. I built a LOT of muscle with circuits, and my workouts were shorter.
Hell yeah thanks for your input!! Always glad to hear from someone who's put in some real time with this training style!
really interesting and unique video, actually caused me to self-reflect upon my own training.... I think one of the reasons I gravitate to straight sets so much, is purely psychological.... that is, given teaching and fatherhood and the multitasking I employ to adapt to those roles, when it comes to my training, I aim to focus all my attention on "movement 1", then 2, 3 = really "sink down" into a movement, "explore it" fully for a focal point in time, then move to next movement, then move back into "life" 🤔... really dug this video
Hey I'm really glad you liked it! That actually makes a lot of sense and I can definitely see there being something to that I hadn't thought about before. Most of the jobs I've had have been much more physical than mental. I've had to make tough decisions but for the most part there wasn't much critical thinking involved. I can see how the simplicity of focusing on one exercise like that would be a nice break from all the mental gymnastics I'm sure you go through on a daily basis! Actually puts your training style into a new light, awesome comment!!
I really love your videos. Feels like talking to a passionate friend who has a lot of curiosity and put a lot of thought into their personal fitness journey. Way easier to relate to than these squeaky clean clinical and predictable personal trainer UA-cam channels.
Hey thank you I really appreciate that! Just trying to make the best videos I can 🙂 it does often feel like the heart and soul is missing from some of those channels I know what you mean, glad I could make something that feels real!
Man this is a great video, very informative for those wondering about how to get both strength and endurance out of bodyweight exercises there's a lot of information packed in under 15 minutes. Most if not all beginners will find this very helpful before starting out Calisthenics, and I am sure practitioners at other levels will also. Before the internet was a widespread thing I did some high rep calisthenics stuff during the early 1990s but there was no "improvement plan over time" , and later around the mid 2010s came across a Calisthenics book that focused on progressive calisthenics but kinda downplayed high rep calisthenics training. The information in this video would have been fantastic to have in both cases.
Wow thank you I really appreciate that!! You have some real experience with this stuff. I was kinda taken in by the idea that high rep calisthenics stuff doesn't work as well when I was first starting, it seems like that's what everyone was saying. Eventually I just had to try for myself and I couldn't believe how great it was!!
@@thestonecircle wouldn't say experience more like trying it the wrong way before moving onto gym machines and treadmill X D . Thanks for the good video.
@saiketbiswas8444 haha I definitely feel that, hits close to home. I swear I spent years learning the hard way with some things 😁
Thoroughly enjoyed this one Cody. I actually find I feel my best doing circuits. Even though they are super hard you feel rejuvenated by the end of it. I've been doing more straight sets at the gym this winter but as spring comes I'll probably transition to circuits and get in "fighting shape" for the summer. There's this guy I follow who has this cool idea of "seasonally adjusted fitness". In winter you build strength. In spring it's speed. By summer its more endurance and fall is meant to strengthen the joints and prepare for the winter arc again.
Hey I'm glad you liked it!! That's really cool I like that way of looking at things. I imagine if most of us in 2024 weren't so disconnected from the seasons there'd be more people using a seasonal approach like that. I found myself naturally going to straight sets during the first few months of winter too, but man does it feel good to be back with the circuits. I agree with you 100% I feel my best when I'm doing at least 1 or 2 of them a week!
A true pleasure to watch! 👍On point with the facts, and also beautiful video editing.
I personally prefer straight sets of challenging exercises with long pauses in between, btw.
Thank you!! Can't deny that method is a lot of fun too 😁
As always, very cool stuff man. I really dig the effective reps explanation.
Heyy great to hear from you glad you liked it!
Thought out to the max! A true pleasure to listen to your thoughts. Well done!
Hey glad you liked it thank you!!
Absolutely phenomenal vid brother. I think I’ll be hitting up these ten downs - should be mentally refreshing, a different way of hitting a pb. Perhaps a drink and a circuit lad like.
And as someone with a very very physical and brutal job, residential drain repairs, I can back up what you said - strength endurance is king in the real world. 10 hours of digging rock hard ground and carrying buckets of spoil up stairs doesn’t care about your one rep max lol.
DAMN that is a brutal job!! I think you would know better than anyone!
Also, hell yes I would love to see the drunken pirate version of calisthenics circuits hahah
And thank you btw!!
@@thestonecircle yeah man, it’s hard fukn work, some of the hardest there is.. and even within the industry most are pussies imo. Those of us that are real with that inner animal though… what can I say I’ve met some characters haha.
But yes drunken pirate circuit will definitely happen and obviously be recorded. I’d love to do that this weekend, probably not possible, but we will see haha.
@@thestonecircle as for “thank you” - I mean it man, your content is the best. It’s just real, it’s informative but doesn’t drift off into boring bullshit like many, the point is always clear… no gimmicks, no fake natties with their dumb ideas, your stuff is just solid 👌
@StopTheDamnTape if more people realized what it takes to keep these cities running haha, you guys deserve way more recognition for what you do. I believe you've met some real interesting people haha. I've been watching this construction crew near one of my jobs for 6 months now. They've been giving me kinda a bad impression of what 'manual labor' actually is, as I've never seen a single one of them lift anything heavier than a 2x4. The machines do every bit of it for them. Makes things really efficient and if I could choose to use a machine or not I know I'd probably choose the machine too, but I always had this thought in the back of my head that there are legends out there carrying heavy shit all day haha. Started to crush that thought a bit, but you're work sounds way more difficult! Carrying the torch of badassery
Awesome,informative video! I personally prefer circuit style of calisthenics,just enjoy that method much more! I find this complements heavy sandbag work well too.
Such a great video!!!
Hey thank you!! I agree 100% calisthenics circuits and heavy sandbags go so well together! You get the best of everything, max strength and power, strength endurance, cardio, muscle, you can't go wrong!
Love it! You're a great mind and heart !
Thank you I appreciate it so much! 🙂
It also depends on how you design your circuits. There’s a big difference between a 10 down circuit of just one exercise and a 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats circuit. The former would be much more hypertrophic while the later will be much more cardio demanding. As a rule of thumb, the closer you get to failure in each set, no matter if it’s a circuit or just straight sets, the more hypertrophy you’re going to get. On the other hand, if you want to maximize the cardio demand then you should try to rotate between different exercises that target different parts of the body and never get close to failure, so that you can be in a constant state of movement while your heart is forced to pump blood constantly (this is basically a form of peripheral heart action training).
Hey yes great points! What I've found, particularly with the upper body push/pull/abs circuits like the example from the vid, is at a certain point everything works together. If you do a 10 down on pullups, there will most likely be times when you're standing there or pacing a bit between reps. These circuits let you fill in those gaps with more work. Initially the cardio demand will hold you back, but once you build that up I've found everything stays close to failure, because there's so little rest between movements. In that way you're able to get the muscle building effects that come from staying at or close to failure, and the cardio effects from never stopping. It's brutal though, that's the trade off, it's a very intense way to train! I usually stick to upper body because that extra blood flow to the lower body does make the cardio demand way higher, and I find it's a lot more difficult to get anywhere near failure doing bodyweight leg exercises in a circuit fashion (not that it can't be done I'm sure!)
@@thestonecircle definitely! I think if you are just doing body weight you can use basic leg exercises such as squats or lunges more like a form of active recovery or even just straight up cardio exercise. As you say, you’re not going to achieve crazy hypertrophy gains in the legs, but your cardio and endurance is going to be through the roof. Otherwise, you can choose a weighted variation and just stay away from failure, maybe doing 5 reps with your 10RM or 10 reps with your 20RM. The first sets of the circuit are going to feel easy, but if you keep doing laps you’re going to accumulate a pretty high volume of reps at a decent intensity, which for sure is going to induce some hypertrophy. But, yes, that’s what I was saying, a 10 down circuit feels more like a rest pause set or a cluster set, I wouldn’t call that circuit training. It’s more like straight sets with short rest periods and incomplete recovery.
you make such good videos man
Hey thank you!
I just started doing circuits and i freaking love them! Like you said, they feel rejuvenating, i have had shoulder pain for over a month now and the day after doing circuit my shoulder had almost no pain
Hey that's so awesome!!
Another fun thing i will be sure to try. I usually do the normal 3x8-10. per exercise and then rest inbetween all 3 etc. it can get stale fast.
And the added conditioning from doing circuits is perhaps more of what i seek these days. Lifting heavy is cool and all but being able to live day to day without running out of breath is cooler
Yes exactly! No point being strong if you get gassed out right away haha. If you're interested/ haven't watched it already, I go into a lot of detail on calisthenics circuits in this vid! ua-cam.com/video/LS6diZH83ds/v-deo.htmlsi=4EYAtrbA9wbH5_j3
@@thestonecircle Will check it out cheers big man
I don't know how to write this comment without sounding like a comparison, but I have to say it: "Man this feels like I'm watching a The Bioneer video, but at the same times it's a more in depth and personal exploration of the topic" (and that's good!)
PS: Circuits are brutal, so brutal in fact that the willpower gains they bring are way more relevant to me than the hypertrophy... Pure disconfort and struggle 😬
Man what an awesome compliment thank you! Adam seems like a great guy I love his channel. And no doubt those willpower gains are so worth the effort!
I believe straight sets are superior for muscle growth. Not saying you can’t build muscle through circuit training, but getting all your sets of pull-ups (or whatever muscle group you’re training) done before moving onto the next muscle group will maximize hypertrophy. Especially if you give yourself adequate rest times. Not everything has to be done at super high intensity or done within a short amount of time. Taking 2-3 minutes of rest between sets is severely underrated in the calisthenics community.
That's definitely my favorite part about straight sets. After a long time it can be tough mentally to get yourself amped up enough to do a full circuit at the intensity level needed to see gains. The straight sets to failure with good rest times feels like a break after that haha
Also, your page is one of my new favorites. I have been looking into sandbags recently and came across your channel! You’ve definitely made me want to add sandbags into my workouts. Great stuff man. Keep it up! 🤙🏼
@@dylancheekfit hey thank you good luck!!
For conditioning and general fitness or GPP purposes, I find circuit training superior. For general goal focused strength training, I find straight sets and similar variants most optimal. In the end tho, I find it all depends on your experience, strength, and for calisthenics sake, bodyweight. Most guys my bodyweight (250-260) would make little to no progress doing calisthenics on a straight set protocol without having assistance equipment
Thanks for your response! That's a great point weight is huge with this stuff
Hey man, love your channel and the approach to training! You say that the form of progression for circuits is getting faster. What do you think about a weighted vest though, and how would implement it? For example with a 10 down workout? When should i implement a weighted vest?
Hey I'm glad you like it! You could definitely add a weighted vest, I've had good success with that in the past. I had a circuit that originally took me 40 minutes, and once I could do it in 20 I added the vest and kept at it. You could add it anytime though!
@@thestonecirclealright, thank you! Set up 3 different circuits like you mentioned, 6,5,4 reps x4 sets. As soon as the time gets significantly down, i might add a vest. :)
@lululx3760 heck yeah good luck!!
I love both tho.
Same :)
something ive been doing between straight sets and circuits is intentionally increasing the density of certain compound movements. ill do a something like a 10x3 on squats and only add weight when i can get the 30 reps in 10 minutes or under, or Ill set a timer for 10min and just try to get as many reps as possible however i am able
How's it working for you? I love that training style, decreasing time is a great way to improve with anything for sure! Have you read the book 'escalating density training' by Charles Staley? I think you'd like it if you havent!
@@thestonecircle i like it a lot because its fun really. i dont have to lock in for 3 hard sets i just have to stay locked in for 10min. ill give that book a look!
@@penumbrium I feel that!!
Great video! I'm currently doing 1 push 1 pull 1 leg exercise about 5 times a week with just the basic calisthenics moves push ups/ pull ups etc. and have been trying to figure out the best way to split up my straight reps and circuit training so that I'm hitting both as equal as possible. What would be the best approach for this.
Hey thank you I'm glad you liked it! That's an awesome setup! Staying with 5 days per week, if it were me I'd probably do something like Circuits on Monday Wednesday Friday, and go for straight sets on Tuesday and Saturday. In that way the circuits would give you a lot of volume and the straight sets could be geared more towards strength
@@thestonecircle appreciate the advice, will definitely give this a go thank you!
@conormcc_9656 good luck!!
What’s a good sandbag to start with and what weight? Never really used one before. Love the content a lot!
Hey thanks I'm glad you like it! This might help! 🙂 ua-cam.com/video/ZlXPac951jY/v-deo.htmlsi=7BKIHq5kUgVZwqls
@@thestonecircle thanks!
Sorry it's under this video, but watching your videos I am more than willing to try the sandbag workouts.
Do you have any recommendations on how to create your own sandbag cheaply? I'd start with heavier weights (considering at least 75kg, maybe 100kg), how can I make one with the casual items?
Always glad to talk about sandbags! Cheapest way is to check thrift stores for a canvas bag of some kind. You'll want canvas or another material with a rough texture. Line it with a bunch of cheap trash bags (you can use contractor bags if you have them, but they're way more expensive) and fill it with sand!
The feel I'm getting from you is something that you don't see very often anymore. You really want to spread your insights onto others. The passion I see in you and the willingness and openness to share... Hats off!
I'm similar, but more with stretching and injury prevention.
I guess what I'm trying to say is stay true to what you believe in. You only replied to my only ever comment, but I appreciate it.
I'll catch up with your videos and then stick around to see where you take us, the viewers.
@hanzok2230 thank you I really appreciate that! Just trying to make videos that I like. I know what you mean about a lot of current youtube stuff too, so many people seem to be missing that personal touch, like they only ever go deep enough to get to a point where they can sell you something
Do you do any quad/squat work anymore beyond the sandbag cleans?
Wondered when someone would catch that! I've gone full on sandbag to shoulder specialization mode so I dropped barbell stuff for now. I have been working in some sandbag box squats here and there though. Quads seem to be maintaining!
@@thestonecircleright on, I've expereinced something similar. I'm on a Fat Cut, doing Dan John's "Easy Strength for Fat Loss," which has light KB goblet squats and/or Turkish Get-Ups as a warm-up, medium deadlifts, KB Swings, and a walk after as part of the routine (along with press, chins, abroll, carry). Once a week, before a rest day I'll do "Armor Building Complex" KB circuits, which include double KB front squats. My quads are popping, and my deadlift is rising, although I bet I can't back squat as much anymore
@Cole205 that's awesome you can't go wrong with anything from Dan John, I've learned so much from him! Always loved that description, 'armor building'.
I noticed the same with my deadlifts too, when I finally added some size to my quads I felt a lot stronger off the floor. Good luck with the training I hope it goes well, time to get lean for the warm weather on the way!!
what do you think about bodyweight squats for high reps and high sets?
They seem to work really well! I've always preferred using weights for leg training but I think the bodyweight stuff could work just as well if you work hard enough at it!
@@thestonecircle thanks for the response! I've been a fan of you since a couple of days, you are a breath of fresh air in the youtube fitness community, really unique style.
@@Yigit-nw4et thanks I really appreciate it! 🙂
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Thanks Matthew!
How frequently do you advocate training these circuits?
If you're only doing circuits 3-4x a week seems to work pretty well! I'd try to have 2 or 3 different circuits you rotate between If you can
@@thestonecircle thank you for the reply.
Having been exercising a good deal of my 57 years, I feel humbled learning new things from a young 'whippersnapper.'
Haha hey glad you liked this video! Still willing to try something new even with all your experience- rare and admirable!