Mid-set failure

Pylon · 01-10-2005, 07:26 PM

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on pausing in the middle of a set. Once in a while I will hit failure part way through a set (like after 4 of a 6 rep set.) I will sometimes rack the bar, wait 15-20 sec, then finish the set. Does anyone else do this? Is there any value to it? Would I be better off to drop the last few reps and move on? Just curious...

LittleKid · 01-10-2005, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pylon

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on pausing in the middle of a set. Once in a while I will hit failure part way through a set (like after 4 of a 6 rep set.) I will sometimes rack the bar, wait 15-20 sec, then finish the set. Does anyone else do this? Is there any value to it? Would I be better off to drop the last few reps and move on? Just curious...

Thats what I usually do, sometimes I just skip the rest and wait until my next set. But I've only gotten failure in the middle of a set due to bad form. I don't think you should drop the last reps though.

BTW in your goals how do you expect to up your squat by 100lbs. in half a year?

LAM · 01-10-2005, 08:03 PM

that's a form of rest-pause. Since I train by myself I do them all the time.

soxmuscle · 01-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAM

that's a form of rest-pause. Since I train by myself I do them all the time.

As do I. As long as you are dropping the weight and getting it back up within 10-30 seconds rest-pause are pretty effective in my opinion.

richirich0417 · 01-11-2005, 01:28 AM

i do it all the time as well, since i workout at home and by myself. It seems to work well for me.

Pylon · 01-11-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleKid

BTW in your goals how do you expect to up your squat by 100lbs. in half a year?

Dream big, man, dream big...

j rizz · 01-11-2005, 11:37 PM

help me better understand this please..
so say i am doing a set of 6-8 and am lifting to failure.. if i can only get reps in.. i should stop.. drop the weight a little ( or leave it on?) and at those last 2-4 reps on my next set??

ChrisROCK · 01-11-2005, 11:42 PM

That's a form of rest-pause?

I thought rest-pause was just from rep to rep...that's the more "conventional" definition... Pausing at the resting position for a 2 count...

j rizz · 01-12-2005, 12:03 AM

dude.. hell if i kno??? thats why i asked..lol

ChrisROCK · 01-12-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j rizz

dude.. hell if i kno??? thats why i asked..lol

I was actually referring to LAM's comments....I should have quoted him, my bad...

Tha Don · 01-12-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

That's a form of rest-pause?

yes, rest-pause is where you push a weight to failiure, rack it for 10-20 seconds, then push out a couple more reps

Quote:

I thought rest-pause was just from rep to rep...that's the more "conventional" definition... Pausing at the resting position for a 2 count...

that could also be considered a form of rest-pause i guess, but not what i'd called true rest-pause training, i don't find it as effective either, if i've just truely hit failiure i generally find it dosen't help much only resting 2-3 secs i still can't push no more heavy weight out

n' BTW your sig. rocks man! dayyyyUMMMM!

BulkMeUp · 01-12-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAM

that's a form of rest-pause. Since I train by myself I do them all the time.

Just a question. Instead of doing a rest pause, would doing a drop set (wherever possible) to complete the set be just as effective?

GIZmo_Timme · 01-12-2005, 09:45 AM

Hey Chris, who is that hot chick?

DemolitionNine · 01-12-2005, 09:55 AM

I'd say to rest longer between sets personally. On my heavy weighted sets, I'll rest a full minute or two before my next set. I'll drop by the drinking fountain, and grab some water too.

I'd say to rest more between sets is definitely the KEY. I've found that I can get more pump out of my muscles, and get more of a burn when I lift heavier, with full motion, and longer rest cycles.

Try that.

-Matt

ChrisROCK · 01-12-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIZmo_Timme

Hey Chris, who is that hot chick?

Not my girlfriend...

**CowPimp** · 01-12-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulkMeUp

Just a question. Instead of doing a rest pause, would doing a drop set (wherever possible) to complete the set be just as effective?

I think it's hard to quantify which one would be more effective. I would rather do rest-pause myself. That way the higher level of tension can be maintained.

BulkMeUp · 01-12-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I think it's hard to quantify which one would be more effective. I would rather do rest-pause myself. That way the higher level of tension can be maintained.

Thanks Cow. It is just that with rest pause, i tend to unknowingly rest a little too long sometimes. Where as with a drop set, i keep going until the set is done without wasting additional time.

Tha Don · 01-12-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I think it's hard to quantify which one would be more effective. .

exactly, both are effective techniques, i like to use both rest-pause and dropsets frequently, along with the occasional forced reps, partial reps and negatives

right now that has been said i'ma go back to lookin at that chick in chris rocks sig. she fine enuff to eat!

peace

**CowPimp** · 01-12-2005, 02:05 PM

It's my guess that dropsets would be more effective at fatiguing slower twitch fibers, while rest-pause would be better at fatiguing faster twitch fibers. It's really hard to say though.

LAM · 01-12-2005, 02:08 PM

yup...

j rizz · 01-14-2005, 12:49 AM

<--dumbass here.. whats a dropset..just taking off some weight to get a couple more pumps in??

**CowPimp** · 01-14-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j rizz

<--dumbass here.. whats a dropset..just taking off some weight to get a couple more pumps in??

Yup. I like to setup the weights so I can remove them as fast as possible. For example, if I want to do a dropset with the bench press starting at 205 and dropping to 145, then I will put on the 45 first, a 5 next, a 25 on top of that, and finally a 5 on each side. That way I can just pull off the two weights on top and get right back to lifting.

01-10-2005, 07:26 PM	#1
Pylon Squishy Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Top 5!!! Posts: 6,478 Photos: 3	Mid-set failure I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on pausing in the middle of a set. Once in a while I will hit failure part way through a set (like after 4 of a 6 rep set.) I will sometimes rack the bar, wait 15-20 sec, then finish the set. Does anyone else do this? Is there any value to it? Would I be better off to drop the last few reps and move on? Just curious...
	"For beverages, I only drink water or whiskey and when I’m drinking whiskey, it’s usually when I’m working out. It gives me the courage to lift more than I can when I’m sober." - C. Bratton

01-10-2005, 08:03 PM	#3
LAM Gym ratt/Part-time pimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 7,384 Photos: 2	that's a form of rest-pause. Since I train by myself I do them all the time.
	Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ?

01-11-2005, 11:42 PM	#8
ChrisROCK ///M Rider Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern NYS Posts: 793 Photos: 5	That's a form of rest-pause? I thought rest-pause was just from rep to rep...that's the more "conventional" definition... Pausing at the resting position for a 2 count...
	Maximus: "What we do in life, echoes in eternity." http://kandeecup.tripod.com/gif "Success does not necessarily mean advancement;... it refers to the accomplishment or sense of achievement one obtains from trying one's best... I...enjoy the process of become stronger and more muscular."

01-12-2005, 09:55 AM	#14
DemolitionNine Freerider Forever Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lenexa, KS Posts: 124	I'd say to rest longer between sets personally. On my heavy weighted sets, I'll rest a full minute or two before my next set. I'll drop by the drinking fountain, and grab some water too. I'd say to rest more between sets is definitely the KEY. I've found that I can get more pump out of my muscles, and get more of a burn when I lift heavier, with full motion, and longer rest cycles. Try that. -Matt
	5' 10", 173lbs of (almost) pure muscle. Bench: 270lbs Incline: 210lbs Decline: 285lbs Curl: 145lbs (bar-style) Squat: 375lbs Live Long. Lift Strong. Ride Hard. Play Hard.

01-12-2005, 02:05 PM	#19
CowPimp Fueled by Testosterone Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 15,428	It's my guess that dropsets would be more effective at fatiguing slower twitch fibers, while rest-pause would be better at fatiguing faster twitch fibers. It's really hard to say though.
	The only time it's bad to feel the burn is when you're peeing... CowPimp Picks Up Heavy Shit MySpace YouTube Videos

01-11-2005, 01:28 AM	#5
richirich0417 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 54	i do it all the time as well, since i workout at home and by myself. It seems to work well for me.

01-11-2005, 11:37 PM	#7
j rizz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cleveland Posts: 326	help me better understand this please.. so say i am doing a set of 6-8 and am lifting to failure.. if i can only get reps in.. i should stop.. drop the weight a little ( or leave it on?) and at those last 2-4 reps on my next set??

01-12-2005, 12:03 AM	#9
j rizz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cleveland Posts: 326	dude.. hell if i kno??? thats why i asked..lol

01-12-2005, 09:45 AM	#13
GIZmo_Timme tjwes, I can flex fat ;) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 165 Photos: 8	Hey Chris, who is that hot chick?

01-12-2005, 02:08 PM	#20
LAM Gym ratt/Part-time pimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 7,384 Photos: 2	yup...
	Dumbest statement made in the Anabolic Zone for Nov TBD ----------------------------------------------------- What you talking about Willis ?

01-14-2005, 12:49 AM	#21
j rizz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cleveland Posts: 326	<--dumbass here.. whats a dropset..just taking off some weight to get a couple more pumps in??

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