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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