Circuit training is a training routine in which a variety of drills and exercises are utilized. These workouts can be done in an individual or group setting. Circuit training provides variety and challenges, and with progressive programming can allow participants to advance at the own rate.

The goal of circuit training is to develop strength and endurance through a systematic program involving various stations where exercises are performed. These exercises should be performed in a vigorous manner for a short period of time before moving on to the next station and different exercise.

The strenuous activity in short periods assures that the body is constructively stressed, or overloaded. Overload is a key fundamental of physical conditioning. In order to improve, exercises must go beyond an individual's comfort zone or exceed the body's normal workload. The variety of exercises allows the total body to be trained while giving relative rest to one portion of the body while another is being overloaded. The sum of the parts of the circuit workout far exceeds the benefits to any specific muscle group.

The exercises selected for the circuit's stations is determined by the goal of the workout.