By Dannielle Lowe
It's April. And what that means is things are getting pretty hectic as we make the final push toward the end of the semester. Late night cram sessions become more familiar and things such as working out start to get shoved to the side to make time for more academic endeavors.
However, skipping workouts and eating more junk food (which tends to happen during study sessions) can take a heavy toll on your body.
Duh. As if you didn't know that.
If you're like me, or even if you're not, the question isn't should I workout or study. Rather it is how can I do both? How can I maintain my busy schedule, workout and still get those A's?
Well, you're in luck. There's an answer that allows you to keep both your noggin and body in tip top shape: circuit training. Baylor University and the Cooper Institute conducted studies that proved circuit training to be "the most time efficient way to enhance fitness and endurance."
"Many people think they have to choose between cardio and weight lifting when they're short on time," Marcie Aker, a Portland, trainer said. "It's not about choosing, though; it's about maximizing the time and effort you do put in while you're at the gym."
Athletes use circuit training to get the most out of their workouts. There are many advantages to circuit training. For starters, it's quick and fun. Circuits can be easily structured to include a whole body workout, and most of the time they don't require extensive equipment. Circuits are great for working out with friends and can be customized according to your desires.
Despite all the positives to circuit training, there are some problems as well. If you're looking to bulk up or build super-crazy strength, circuit training isn't going to cut it. You're going to have live in the gym. But if you just want a quick workout to fit in between your study breaks, then circuit training is perfect.
Circuit means a group of activities performed consecutively made to maximize time and effort but also to reduce wasted movement. There should always be a plan before starting. Many people waste time at the gym simply because they don't what they want to do. Circuits take workout planning to a new extreme. Know what stations you're going to use and how long on each. Have a plan. Visit the trainers in the Chiles Center; they love to help.
A good circuit contains some basic elements such as a combination of both lower and upper body, some core building moves, and some type of cardio such as jumping jacks or a jump rope. But in case you're thinking you want a body like an athlete, here are some sport-specific exercises you can do to get that bod.
If you want to build a powerful frame like a volleyball player or maybe increase your vertical, focus on core strength. Volleyball players need power and core strength in order to respond explosively. So try to incorporate planks, dead lifts and push-ups into a circuit. Anything including plyometrics is great as well because of the extensive use of jumps, hops and bounds.
Maybe you want abs like UP's very own basketball star Walter Thompson? Then get to crunchin' and don't stop till hurts. Or, in his words, "Hire the school's buffest guy as your trainer, aka Lovett Cutty Harris, eat buffalo steak nuggets and then drink a homemade goat milk protein shake," Thompson said. "Abs guaranteed in a week."
Well, at least try the crunches; I think he was kidding about the rest.
Jealous of the soccer stars' thin, athletic builds? It's all about the cardio, baby. They didn't get those lean frames overnight. Nope, it took years of sprints and quick-paced soccer drills. So start running and don't stop.
Want the speed of a tennis player? That's easy. Sprints and interval running are the key to improving speed. Also, they get the heart rate up during circuit training. If you're really in the mood for a challenge, sprint up a hill or incorporate some fast-action shuffle steps or ladder drills.
If you want bulging biceps like a baseball player, go old school and get back to the basics. Chin-ups and pull-ups will tone not only the biceps, but hit the forearms and hands as well. Bench press till it hurts to get the upper-body defined. Baseball players do these exercises to build arm strength for throwing and bat speed. I say do them because they are easy to incorporate into a circuit.
Whether you try a circuit or not is not the point. Just get active. Working out is good for the body and for the mind. The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association conducted a study in which they found exercise to be beneficial to relieving stress - something students have an abundance of come finals week. So take a break and hit the gym. Who knows, maybe it will improve your final scores.
