Cricket is a game played on one leg.

OK, that's not quite the whole story but as sport science students know: Running, throwing, batting and bowling movements occur with one leg applying more force than the other.

This means that training that involves one leg at a time is more specific to cricket.

Circuits are a method of training that are used by many cricketers. You can read more about the methods behind this popular variation here.

But is circuit training a better way to train than the 'set and rep' strength training method combined with running?

Benefits of cricket circuit training

• Efficiency. Circuits train your body in three ways at once (strength, conditioning and mobility) so it is very time efficient.

There are not many certainties in club cricket, especially when it comes to making runs and taking wickets. However, one thing you can be sure of is that the fitter you are, the better you will perform on the pitch at the weekend.

Cricket fitness, though, can a complicated and difficult subject. You just have to look at the hundreds of personal trainers, fitness books and strange looking equipment available to know it's a confusing world.

Magazine articles can be a right tease. A recent article in Spin magazine gave an insight into Liam Plunkett's training and preparation for the Ashes tour.

But being a short article means it's difficult to put the workouts into any kind of context so it becomes frustrating.

So here is some flesh on those bones.

How do you feel about training on matchdays?

For many club players the only warm up they do is smoking a cigarette and the only cool down is raising a pint to their lips.

But many others would like to make more of matchdays without dropping in performance. Here are 7 things you can do on the day of a match that will have a positive impact.

Not long ago I noticed pictures of the England side training in Australia just before the Ashes tour began. They were adopting some very odd and un-cricketlike poses in the gym: Core stability exercises.

England have access to some superb physiologists, so if they are doing it there must be a case for club cricketers to follow suit.

Do you want to improve your cricket fitness but find the gym no fun? Many do, but it doesn't have to be a pain to train.

Vern Gambetta is the coach behind an approach called functional training. It's the natural development of the idea that to get fit for cricket you should play cricket.

Here are a few things Vern has to say about making training both fun and functional:

Every now and again Ill update you with my own schedule, just to give you an idea of how a club player can do it. Hopefully it will give you some context to my tips.

Thanks to my last programme I have now lost 6kg in weight and 4% body fat.

Even though it's off season things are starting to get a little bit more specific for me. My focus has moved onto strength building rather than general fitness.

Liam Plunkett recently revealed his secret to keeping his energy levels up during a long day in the field.

Jelly Babies and Wine Gums

Is it worth club cricketers following suit?

Probably not. Why?

• Club cricketers tend not to spend as long in the field. So there is less need for such a boost.
• Sugary sweets give you a short term energy boost that is followed by a 'crash' as the body tries to compensate for the sudden jump in blood sugar levels. This means you get hungry and tired and your performance may drop.

I was out this morning doing some interval training at the local park. Various people were also out walking their dogs and the like. And why not? It's a beautiful day here.

I was taking a short break when a kind faced old chap carrying a tiny dog under his arm wandered up to me. The dog was in a tartan coat.