050 Are circuits for hypertrophy the next big thing?

About this episode

The episode explores the use of circuit training in hypertrophy, examining its historical context and practical applications today.

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris explore the use of circuits in hypertrophy training, starting with a 1960s circuit-style routine published by John McCallum. The episode examines how circuit-style training was used in the silver era, before transitioning into a physiology-first breakdown of when circuits might actually make sense for muscle growth today, and when they likely fall short. Key topics include: • A breakdown of McCallum’s Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) circuit routine • Why inserting low-fatigue exercises between compounds can improve performance • How circuits may reduce the exercise order effect across a workout • When circuits might outperform straight sets (and when they won’t) • How to structure circuits using clusters, low reps, and reps in reserve • The practical limitations of circuits in busy gyms

People in this episode

Hosts: Jake Doleschal, Chris Beardsley

Topics covered

• circuit training
• hypertrophy
• muscle growth
• exercise performance
• training techniques

Keywords

• circuit training
• hypertrophy
• Peripheral Heart Action
• exercise order effect
• muscle growth

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