What is Circuit?
SilverSneakers Circuit is one of our core signature SilverSneakers class formats developed for older adults. It is designed for participants who have expressed a desire for cardiovascular and muscular endurance conditioning. The SilverSneakers Circuit workout offers standing, low-impact choreography alternated with standing upper-body resistance work with hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a SilverSneakers ball.
SilverSneakers Circuit focuses on the benefits of a circuit-interval format to improve cardiovascular endurance, and muscular strength and endurance. While designed for those who have demonstrated a consistent level of skill for agility, balance and coordination, the signature SilverSneakers chair is also used for standing support, storage for the resistance tools and seated support for the workout’s Final Stretch and Relaxation segments.
Class Goals
- Improve cardiovascular endurance
- Improve muscular strength and endurance
- Improve the functional movement patterns and five skill-related fitness components (balance, speed, power, agility and coordination)
Benefits for Older Adults
Circuit training is a combination of cardiovascular and resistance exercises designed to increase cardio-respiratory capacity and muscular endurance. Rather than train at maximum intensity levels for aerobic endurance or strength gains, the goal of a circuit format is to combine shorter bouts of aerobic conditioning and resistance training intervals performed at sub-maximal intensities or below hydrogen/lactate threshold levels.
Circuit training provides benefits for the participant, including:
- Improves muscle endurance
- Increases aerobic capacity
- Boosts metabolism
- Improves energy efficiency
- Time-efficient workout
- Increases bone density
- Improves well-being
The Difference Between SilverSneakers Classic and Circuit Formats
Both SilverSneakers Classic and SilverSneakers Circuit utilize the same equipment. However, Classic does not include specific work for cardiovascular endurance conditioning. Classic is our entry-level class that is appropriate for all participants.