How did you get involved in the class? 

Before starting my clinical rotation at Beacon Physical Therapy, I was asked by Dr. Charlie King if I would be interested in co-teaching a lunchtime fitness course with the Pilates instructor, Erin King. Having a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and personal experience with circuit training, I was very excited to be a part of this opportunity!

What is the class all about? 

Essentially, the class was created to offer a 45 min exercise class each Wednesday to those who work in the building where we are located. This allows participants a midday opportunity to get some movement before continuing on with their workday. Exercises are selected to not only improve strength and conditioning, but to also build a mind-body connection and improve body mechanics.

The class is located in our clinic’s gym, which has Pilates as well as strength and conditioning equipment. This gives us many tools to work with as we develop a circuit style class that hits all the major muscle groups. Each week, Erin and I plan out the stations and collaborate on the focus of each. We have 5 stations, with 5 minutes spent at each. Preparing first with a warmup to get the body moving, and ending with a cooldown to get the participants ready to return back to their work day.

Why Circuit Training?

Circuit classes are a great way to efficiently get a whole-body workout. With there being 5 circuits and 5 minutes spent at each, the fast pace of the class keeps the participants heart rates up, and maximizes the time spent together. Research supports circuit classes as a means to improve strength, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness.¹ The intensity of the exercise and the short rest time between sets can lead to an increase in muscle mass and decrease in fat mass.¹ Not only are the physiological changes that come with circuit training great, but mentally it gives participants a chance to step away from the office and do something for themselves. The energy is always high during the classes, and we love to see the hard work being put in each week!

What has been the highlight so far?

I have enjoyed this opportunity as it allows me to get creative with exercise prescriptions. I have also loved learning more about Pilates, as well as broadening my knowledge and adding to my personal exercise library. Previously, none of the PT clinics I have worked at had access to Pilates equipment, so this has been extra special! Erin has been helpful by introducing me to the various exercises that can be done with the equipment. Her knowledge, passion and expertise make every class fun and educational.

I find it inspiring to work with the participants and learn from their feedback regarding which exercises they felt were most effective. We try to change things up weekly to keep it engaging and fun, while also ensuring that each exercise is effective in targeting the desired muscle group. I only have 3 weeks left here and will surely miss being involved!

Ramos-Campo DJ, Andreu Caravaca L, Martínez-Rodríguez A, Rubio-Arias JÁ. Effects of Resistance Circuit-Based Training on Body Composition, Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biology (Basel). 2021;10(5):377. Published 2021 Apr 28. doi:10.3390/biology10050377