October. This time of year is when I usually get back into my fitness routine. Why? You guessed it — young windsurfers are back in school on weekdays, and adults have returned to “workweek mode”, so I can finally carve out some time for myself during the week.

When I want to improve my general stamina and muscular endurance — before setting any specific goals — my go-to is circuit training. Here’s why:

✅ It’s Enjoyable

The biggest challenge for me after a long break is staying motivated. Circuit training allows for variety — I can design each session with a different focus or body part. It’s hard to get bored when every workout feels fresh and playful.

✅ It Reveals What Needs Work

Whereas windsurfing as a sport works both the upper and lower body fairly equally, coaching beginner and intermediate sailors — which is what I do most of the summer — is a different story. In light wind conditions, I often spend hours just standing on my board, wading in the water, or sitting in the rescue boat. By the time autumn rolls around, my thighs feel like jelly. So do my chest and triceps! Circuit training, with its back-to-back exercises, quickly highlights which areas have weakened and need more attention.

✅ Strength + Cardio Combo

When getting back into training after summer, I might only manage 30 minutes, three times a week. Circuit training lets me combine resistance and cardio in one short but efficient session — and still get great results.

✅ Super Adaptable

I know my body plateaus if I repeat the same type or order of exercises. Circuit training keeps things dynamic — I can switch from strength to stamina-focused workouts, change the order, or swap exercises depending on what I want to target.

✅ Easy to Track Progress

One of the things I love is how easy it is to see progress. If I can do more reps, complete sets faster, or maintain a lower heart rate than before — that’s proof I’m getting fitter!

🏋️‍♀️ How I Start

I begin with bodyweight exercises and adjust intensity through:

• The number of exercises (starting with 4–6)
  

• Reps (8–10 per exercise) or time (30’’ per exercise)

• Short rests (15’’ between exercises)

As I get fitter, I increase the number of exercises, reps, or duration — and reduce the rest time to work more on stamina.

Circuit training helps me stay consistent, have fun, and build the foundation I need before shifting toward more goal-specific training.