how much rest between sets? - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

stevie · 08-09-2004, 08:11 PM

I wondered if there was an ideal rest time between sets, I,ve been training alone for 10 weeks now, and as the weight has increased I've noticed I'm putting off the next set a little longer each time.
I haven't timed myself, but I think I'd be lifting less weight if I shortened my rest periods- so what's the right thig to do?
Help!

**hackskii** · 08-09-2004, 08:51 PM

Well, that is a really good question.
For me if I am lifting heavy then you will have to have more rest between sets maybe 1 min to 1.5 mins. I am just interested in getting the big lift so when ever I feel ready and pumped up I go for it.

Now I have heard forever between 30-60 seconds between sets.
Now there is alot of other stuff floating around about how much time on the downstroke and a certain amount of time on the upstroke but as long as it is not jerky or too fast you will be ok here.
You control the weight and not the weight controlling you.

stevie · 08-09-2004, 09:09 PM

Thanks Scott, I'll keep my rests below 1.5 mins- If I can!

p.s. this is a fantastic site, it's a credit to you all.

Carnivore · 09-09-2004, 12:28 PM

There seems to be two differnt thought processes that contradict each other on this subject.

1 is to say 'as little time between sets as possible', which would maximise strength & shock your muscles into growing, but others say if your muscles are still fatigued from your last set, you wont get as much time under tension, meaning the muscle wouldnt grow as well as taking the extra 30 seconds between sets and adding 10-20 seconds on to the lift, as research seems to indicate for maximum growth the muscle needs to be under tension between 30sec to 1min.

Some ppl swear by the hammering approach while others swear by time under tension approach, i think its a fine balance between the 2 and you have to know what your bodys capable of and which of the two works best for you.

Mr T · 09-09-2004, 01:07 PM

a minute on average for me, slightly longer with deads , squats and bench as i find these most taxing..

**big pete** · 09-09-2004, 01:58 PM

im bout the same as Mr T. with compounds i wait a bit longer unless im drop setting

Killerkeane · 09-09-2004, 04:28 PM

i think generally, the younger you are the more testorone you have in you. And so, you need to hit the muscles a lot harder than most people. Im young, and rest for about 30secs to 1 minute between sets. I find i get much better results hitting the muscles with more intensity but maybe that's just me. I think roughly around 1 minute for anyone is spot on though.

winger · 11-09-2004, 03:52 AM

Ideally the guy that could lift the heavy weights with limited rest time would be the stud!

I so want to be that guy................lol

**Jimmy** · 12-09-2004, 09:58 AM

long enough to chat to my mates about the weekend, eye up the girl in the lycra g string, and get 3 sets of bench done in an hour!!! LOL

Biker · 12-09-2004, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

long enough to chat to my mates about the weekend, eye up the girl in the lycra g string, and get 3 sets of bench done in an hour!!! LOL

LMFAO

winger · 13-09-2004, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

long enough to chat to my mates about the weekend, eye up the girl in the lycra g string, and get 3 sets of bench done in an hour!!! LOL

That is so fcuking funny. Jimmy you have the best personality.;)

winger · 13-09-2004, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie

I wondered if there was an ideal rest time between sets, I,ve been training alone for 10 weeks now, and as the weight has increased I've noticed I'm putting off the next set a little longer each time.
I haven't timed myself, but I think I'd be lifting less weight if I shortened my rest periods- so what's the right thig to do?
Help!

I think you need to build a foundation to start with so the more time you take the stronger you will get. This is just my opinion. What better way of gauging your results. I also feel the stronger you get the bigger you get. Once again this is just my opinion. Any weight lifting will give you benifit. Just dont get impatient.

stevie · 14-09-2004, 07:00 PM

Winger,
Are you saying rest for as long as possible- until fully recovered, between sets?
Steve.

**hackskii** · 14-09-2004, 08:53 PM

If you are lifting heavy then you take as much time as you need to recoup for the failure set, so long as you stay warmed up.

**big** · 14-09-2004, 08:59 PM

I leave a long-ass time between max effort sets... usually 3-4 mins. On higher rep assistance sets I leave about 2 mins. And on dynamic effort moves, 45-60 seconds.

08-09-2004, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
stevie Newbie Trainer Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14	how much rest between sets? I wondered if there was an ideal rest time between sets, I,ve been training alone for 10 weeks now, and as the weight has increased I've noticed I'm putting off the next set a little longer each time. I haven't timed myself, but I think I'd be lifting less weight if I shortened my rest periods- so what's the right thig to do? Help!

08-09-2004, 08:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 23,654	Well, that is a really good question. For me if I am lifting heavy then you will have to have more rest between sets maybe 1 min to 1.5 mins. I am just interested in getting the big lift so when ever I feel ready and pumped up I go for it. Now I have heard forever between 30-60 seconds between sets. Now there is alot of other stuff floating around about how much time on the downstroke and a certain amount of time on the upstroke but as long as it is not jerky or too fast you will be ok here. You control the weight and not the weight controlling you. __________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin Scott To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-09-2004, 12:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Carnivore Somewhere between depressed and suicidal Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: location, location Posts: 1,077	There seems to be two differnt thought processes that contradict each other on this subject. 1 is to say 'as little time between sets as possible', which would maximise strength & shock your muscles into growing, but others say if your muscles are still fatigued from your last set, you wont get as much time under tension, meaning the muscle wouldnt grow as well as taking the extra 30 seconds between sets and adding 10-20 seconds on to the lift, as research seems to indicate for maximum growth the muscle needs to be under tension between 30sec to 1min. Some ppl swear by the hammering approach while others swear by time under tension approach, i think its a fine balance between the 2 and you have to know what your bodys capable of and which of the two works best for you. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-09-2004, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mr T Looking Freaky Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 709	a minute on average for me, slightly longer with deads , squats and bench as i find these most taxing.. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-09-2004, 01:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
big pete UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: south midlands Posts: 3,797	im bout the same as Mr T. with compounds i wait a bit longer unless im drop setting __________________ any questions?? feel free to email me on.... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 'there is greatness inside all of us, how deep are you willing to dig? '

08-09-2004, 09:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
stevie Newbie Trainer Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14	Thanks Scott, I'll keep my rests below 1.5 mins- If I can! p.s. this is a fantastic site, it's a credit to you all.

09-09-2004, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Killerkeane The Geezer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Somerset although im not proud lol. Posts: 2,978	i think generally, the younger you are the more testorone you have in you. And so, you need to hit the muscles a lot harder than most people. Im young, and rest for about 30secs to 1 minute between sets. I find i get much better results hitting the muscles with more intensity but maybe that's just me. I think roughly around 1 minute for anyone is spot on though. __________________ Fortes Fortuna Paratus Mens-Fortune favours the prepared mind.:amen:

11-09-2004, 03:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
winger UK-Muscle Male Animal Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 10,324 Blog Entries: 1	Ideally the guy that could lift the heavy weights with limited rest time would be the stud! I so want to be that guy................lol __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-09-2004, 09:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jimmy UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Forest gym crawley Posts: 4,412	long enough to chat to my mates about the weekend, eye up the girl in the lycra g string, and get 3 sets of bench done in an hour!!! LOL __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* 'Genetics is the science of heredity and variation in living organisms. Inheritance in organisms occurs by means of discrete traits, called genes.'

14-09-2004, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
stevie Newbie Trainer Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14	Winger, Are you saying rest for as long as possible- until fully recovered, between sets? Steve.

14-09-2004, 08:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
hackskii UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 23,654	If you are lifting heavy then you take as much time as you need to recoup for the failure set, so long as you stay warmed up. __________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - George Carlin Scott To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

14-09-2004, 08:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
big UK-Muscle Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The only side effect of steroids is GREATNESS Posts: 5,406	I leave a long-ass time between max effort sets... usually 3-4 mins. On higher rep assistance sets I leave about 2 mins. And on dynamic effort moves, 45-60 seconds.