Earlier this month I joined the local Planet Fitness in an attempt to change my scenery and try something new. I can’t speak to all their locations but at this one, for the average gym-goer, I think Planet Fitness is pretty well-stocked in the equipment department. The atmosphere is pretty good with a mix of very serious and semi-serious patrons and the people that slowly wander from machine to machine with no set plan in place. The one thing at Planet Fitness that is different from any other gym I have ever worked out at is their 30 Minute Express Circuit.

What is it? The 30 Minute Express Circuit is a 20 station circuit that takes 30 minutes to complete. The odd numbered stations are machines and the even numbered stations are step boxes. There are lights like a traffic signal that are green or red to indicate when you need to be completing activity. The green light cycles last for a minute and the red light cycles last for 30 seconds.

How does it work? When the light changes from red to green you start working at your station. If you are on a machine you are supposed to do 12 reps and then stop. If you are at a step box you need to keep moving for the whole minute. The light begins to flash as you are coming to the end of the cycle. Once the light changes to red you need to switch to the next station. You can start at any number in the circuit, but you are supposed to follow them in order. If you start at station 15, for example, you would need to work from 15 to 20 and then go to station 1 and work through to 14 to complete an entire circuit.

Is it a good workout? The Planet Fitness 30 Minute Express Circuit can be a good workout, but just like any other exercise activity, you only get out of it what you put into it. The machines are the weight-stack variety so you have to pick the amount you want to use on every exercise. If you pick a challenging weight then you’ll be doing yourself a favor. The stepping stations can be a challenge but you absolutely have to keep moving for the whole minute. The stepping station can be even better if you add some variety to your steps. I like to toss in high knees, kicks, side steps or other challenging moves to up the benefit. There is a great wall chart of suggested alternate moves at the stepping stations near the start of the circuit.

Any gripes? The 30 Minute Express Circuit is probably not going to be a great workout for someone who is already super-fit or not willing to keep moving. The suggestion of sticking to 12 reps per machine before switching off is kind of low in my opinion if you are looking for results. I like to squeeze two sets of 10 in for every machine at a moderately heavy weight to make the circuit more worthwhile. The machines used in the circuit are decent but the weight feels a little light sometimes and I need to pick a weight much heavier than I would have expected.

My only other gripe is that occasionally someone wants to use certain pieces of equipment which are only found in the circuit and they can get in the way of your progression. While there are signs indicating the staff watches for this I have never seen anyone actually monitoring it. This isn’t a gripe of the circuit itself, more of a gripe to Planet Fitness that they really should monitor the needs of their guest better.

Final thoughts If you’re in a hurry, need a change of pace or just want to get through a decent workout you don’t have to plan yourself then jump on the 30 Minute Express Circuit at Planet Fitness. I wouldn’t recommend the circuit as your everyday routine since it isn’t customized for your specific needs or goals, but it works in a pinch and can get you working up a sweat in no time.

UPDATE 10/29/13 – If you are looking for ideas to boost your productivity and get better results from the Planet Fitness 30 Minute Express Circuit then check out my new article .

About the Author Alicen Ronan is a personal trainer, fitness consultant and fitness writer based out of the Kansas City metro area. She has been a certified personal trainer since 2009 when she decided that she wanted to help others make positive lifestyle changes. She is available for personal training session 7 days a week both in the Kansas City metro and virtually.

Like this Post? Check Out These Posts too: