With all the different workout programs that are currently out on the market today, one that catches on among a large group of people is that of circuit training.

But, how effective is circuit training for building muscle? Or, would you be better off leaving this type of workout set-up to those who are looking to burn fat?

Let's take a closer look.

Qualifications For Muscle Building

In order to build muscle effectively, the following qualifications need to be met:

-an overloading stimulus applied the muscle

-enough volume so the muscle is fatigued and must be repaired

-enough rest so that this repair process can happen

-proper nutrition provide so that the body can then generate new muscle tissue and repair the damaged muscle tissue

Looking At Circuit Training

So now when we look at our circuit training system, we can compare it to these qualifications.

Overloading Stimulus

Circuit training can provide an overloading stimulus in that as long as enough weight is lifted, it will be more than the body is used to.

But, one thing to keep in mind here with this is the minimal rest time between exercises.

While you might be able to lift maximally for the first two to four exercises you perform, chances are high that after that, you're going to be more fatigued due to lack of recuperation than anything.

This then will hinder your ability to lift as much weight in the following circuits (since usually you will repeat a circuit two or three times for maximum benefits).

So, the question then begs to be asked, can you provide enough stimulus through circuit training to put on optimal amount of muscle mass.

This will be questionable.

True, in many cases, you can get sarcoplasmic hypertrophy of the muscles through circuit training (which is typically stimulated by many sets with little rests), but you will not develop maximal strength gains, which is where you really get the development of true muscle tissue that is long lasting.

Enough Volume

Looking at the volume side of things, this is definitely possible with circuit training since as long as you can make it through two to four consecutive circuits, you should be able to have no problem developing the volume side of the equation.

On the flip side though, you need to keep in mind that if the volume is all done with much lighter weights than you could be lifting, this volume is not great quality volume compared to what could be performed in another type of set-up.

Enough Rest For Repair

Apart from the lack of rest between actual exercises, typically there is going to be enough rest in between gym sessions as most people doing circuit training will do it three times a week, with at least one day in between sessions.

Obviously though if you were going in and doing it daily, you would not recover and hence, you would probably actually move backwards as far as progress is concerned.

Proper Nutrition

Finally, the last factor is really independent from the workout you choose to do and something you are in complete control over. As long as you take the necessary steps to get in a good pre and post workout meal, this again should not be a problem.

So, overall, circuit training could potentially lead to some muscle gain, but it will not be near that you would experience if you did some heavier sets with more rest in between - more like the typical bodybuilding workouts.

If you're really short on time and looking for something to do quickly, you'd be better off doing supersets with two different exercises, and then adding in some rest, than trying to do a full circuit.