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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
11:15
Determining the Contribution of the Energy Systems During Exercise
Published on: March 20, 2012
Energy cost of circuit weight training
Medicine and Science in Sports
|January 1, 1978
Summary
Circuit weight training
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Circuit weight training is a popular exercise modality.
- Understanding its metabolic cost is crucial for optimizing training programs.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated sex-based differences in energy expenditure during circuit training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the metabolic cost of circuit weight training.
- To investigate potential sex-based differences in energy expenditure.
- To examine the relationship between energy expenditure and body weight/lean body weight.
Main Methods:
- 20 men and 20 women (ages 17-36) participated.
- Participants performed 3 circuits with 10 stations each.
- A 2:1 work-to-rest ratio (30s work, 15s rest) was used over 22.5 minutes.
Main Results:
- Energy expenditure strongly correlated with body weight in both sexes.
- Average gross energy expenditure was higher in men (539.7 kcal/hr) than women (367.5 kcal/hr).
- When adjusted for body weight or lean body weight, energy expenditure was similar between men and women.
Conclusions:
- Circuit weight training's metabolic cost is significantly influenced by body weight.
- After accounting for body composition, there are no substantial sex-based differences in energy expenditure during circuit weight training.
- These findings support the use of circuit weight training for both men and women, with adjustments for individual body mass.
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