Thread: Mid-set failure

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?

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

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.

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

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...

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??

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...

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

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...

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

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!

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?

Hey Chris, who is that hot chick?

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

Originally Posted by GIZmo_Timme

Hey Chris, who is that hot chick?

Not my girlfriend...

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.

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.

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

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.

yup...

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