Thread: How long between reps?

This would be a great question to post in the Training section, but, sorry, I cant help ye on this one.

But like I said, there are some smart people there

Welcome aboard! This should be moved to training, but Ill try to answer this one anyway...

larger muscle groups take longer to recover than smaller ones...After a minute of so, ur body has pretty much recovered...After 3 minutes, it has recovered as much as it can without extended rest(extended rest=usual time before training the same body part again)...U dont really want this as u must overload ur muscles by working them while theyre not completely rested. It boosts GH levels=more growth...IMHO, the "roomy" is right!

HardKor welcome to IM!

Hi all,
Thanks for the replies so far, sorry for posting in the wrong forum, can I get an admin to move this thread to the right forum?

Thanks

9 inches

Originally Posted by HardKor

Hi all, new user here, first post

My workout routine is:

Monday: Chest
Tuesday: Back
Wednesday: Shoulders
Thurday: Arms
Friday: Legs

My equipment consists of a standard bench with incline and a full rack of dumbells, each day I do 3 to 4 different exercises (same muscle group) and do 3 sets each of 10-20 reps.

My roomate, who I work out with, insists that there should be no more than 60 seconds between each rep, however I like to wait until I feel rested (maybe 3-5 minutes or so) until I do my next set, so, whats the right amount of time to wait?

I'm the roommate...optimaly i think the rest period between sets should be 20 to 30 seconds but no more than 60 seconds. also, i think we should swith to a circuit training regimine instead of focusing on individual muscle groups. neither of us is currently doing much cardio except what i get at work (construction).

Back to me, one more question, would it be a good idea to switch off every so often and do one week of lots of reps say 40-50 with much lighter weight?

Thanks a lot

You should not be working out 5 day in a row. Three days in a row MAX, so get some rest days in there.
Rest Intervals should vary. I change them every couple weeks. As well, it's common sense that some exercises require longer rest periods
ie. Squats vs. Curls

Regarding the extremely high reps. I do a set like that every soo often, but it's merely just to torture myself. Not a very good idea, if you're trying to increase strength.

maybe i need some help with this question 2 ? As a beginner wishing 2 tone, i use light weights on a machine. i go through my routine (X amount rep #1) ....then continue right on to the next muscle group. After the small routine is over, i go back to rep #2 (working each different muscle group) and so on...I am wondering now if it would be best 2 stick with a muscle group and follow through with reps 1 after the other? (allowing ample time between) as mentioned above. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Missfit4all

As a beginner wishing 2 tone, i use light weights on a machine.

Light weight does not make you tone. Losing bodyfat makes you appear "tone".

I also like to lift weights with only a 30 - 45 second rest in between sets. I used to lift weights with a five minute break in between sets for my big muscle groups. I grow a lot better with a very small rest in between sets but if you're looking to lift heavier in the gym then go with the longer break

Originally Posted by HardKor

My roomate, who I work out with, insists that there should be no more than 60 seconds between each rep, however I like to wait until I feel rested (maybe 3-5 minutes or so) until I do my next set, so, whats the right amount of time to wait?

Don't rest between reps.

I don't rest, but is waiting for a few seconds to get that extra few reps in something that alot of you adhere to?

There is a fine line between "resting a couple seconds" and just calling it an additional set. I think if you stop and rest, if only for a few seconds, then you've begun a new set.

There is no optimal rest time for hypertrophy. Some programs, like Max-OT, suggest 2-3 minutes between sets. There is nothing wrong with this, and it works well for many.

30-60 seconds will mean you need a greater level of conditioning. However, it also means you are not going to be pushing as much weight, at least on all sets beyond your first one.

3-5 minutes is typically reserved for strength athletes, or sometimes those doing a puritan HIT routine. I see no reason to wait this long all the time. 2-3 minutes should probably be enough if you want to make sure you are "fully" rejuvinated for that following set.

I only ever wait 3 minutes if I am working on my max effort exercise, and therefore working at 100% intensity. All accessory work is done using 90 second rest intervals.