What's the Difference Between Circuits, Intervals, and Supersets?

If you enjoy working out or you’ve seen the class timetable in your local gym, you might have seen the terms ‘circuits’, ‘intervals’, and ‘supersets’. Some of you may know the differences between each of these terms, but if you don’t, we’re going to explain them here.

Here’s a simple definition of each one:

• Circuits refer to a style of training where you perform a series of exercises each focussing on different muscles or muscle groups back to back with short to no rest periods between each one.  Circuit training can build both strength and cardio endurance.
• Intervals refer to a style of training where you perform an exercise of high intensity for 10 to 30 seconds before resting or performing a lower intensity exercise for 60 to 90 seconds. With interval training you are focussing on the intensity of your workout.
• Supersets are a training technique where you pair two exercises back to back with little to no rest in between.