Stupid question: What exactly is a "set" when exercising?

[fuzzybabybunny]

How much time is in between each "set" ?

 

[her209]

10-15 reps

 

[homercles337]

Enough to recover for another, but no so long as to recover fully. The idea is to be fatigued by the end of your third set (thats how i do it at least). If you do one set with one muscle group, then switch to another group, then go back to the first for another set that is too long (unless youre doing super sets). But of course all this depends on what your goals are.

 

[Maximilian]

Figure it out on your own. That worked best for me.

 

[SlitheryDee]

A set is the number of repetitions of a particular exercise that you decide to do before resting. Setting an exact number (such as 10) is a way to encourage yourself to push harder when you are feeling fatigued as you most likely would want to complete each set.

There isn't a definite amount of time between sets, just rest up for a bit and attack the next set when you feel you are ready. I wouldn't wait too long because after a while your muscles get "cold" and it makes your workout more difficult.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Ah, I see. Thanks guys. I tried looking up the definition of a "set" but the best definition I got was groups of repetitions, and I was confused

 

[imported_bum]

For most types of workouts, I've gathered 40-60 seconds is a good rest time between sets. I don't work out much, though.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: bum
For most types of workouts, I've gathered 40-60 seconds is a good rest time between sets. I don't work out much, though.

I go 2-3 mins between sets.

 

[Special K]

I rest 1-2 mins. between warmup sets, and 2-3 between heavy working sets. Sometimes I will take a 5 min. break after something particularly difficult like squats.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Special K
I rest 1-2 mins. between warmup sets, and 2-3 between heavy working sets. Sometimes I will take a 5 min. break after something particularly difficult like squats.

Ditto.

 

[Xyo II]

Originally posted by: fs5

Originally posted by: bum
For most types of workouts, I've gathered 40-60 seconds is a good rest time between sets. I don't work out much, though.

I go 2-3 mins between sets.

 

[LLCOOLJ]

Originally posted by: Special K
I rest 1-2 mins. between warmup sets, and 2-3 between heavy working sets. Sometimes I will take a 5 min. break after something particularly difficult like squats.

How ever long it takes to watch the Hottie doing Good Mornings.

 

[EvilYoda]

Special K had a good point...for the really intense workouts, your breaktime could be more than just 1-2 minutes...I go for a combination of staying lean while trying to develop muscle, so most of my rest times are only a minute. But for deadlifts, squats...those take more time to recoup.

 

[dfi]

Just a stab in the dark here, but I'm guessing the OP does not work out regularly, if at all. 4 sets of 10 pull-ups... good luck! That will definitely be tough.

 

[iamaelephant]

I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

 

[dfi]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

100% effort 5x5 squats and deadlift? If you can do that with under 60 sec rest, then you're a better man than I. Or what about sets of 20 rep squats?

 

[uberman]

I have sports which give me exercise. I don't like exercise just for exercise, you know, weights and pull-ups.

For me a rep would be to lift something one time. I did 12 reps during dinner tonight as I lifted a large turkey sandwich at the table.

 

[shortylickens]

A set is whatever the hell you want.

If you are doing endurance work for muscle tone, 15 to 20 is good. Preferably 6 sets of those.

For muscle mass I'd suggest 3 sets of 8 reps.

In either workout you should not finish the last set, if you can then you are at too low a weight. Bump it up.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

You have it backwards. You're supposed to rest longer as your lactic acid takes 3 minutes to clear up. You're not working at your max efficiency if you rest less than 60 seconds.
Learn to work smart, not hard.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

What's so ridiculous about it?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

Then you never lift heavy and/or never lift to complete failure on every set.

Sure, if you're doing some kind of girly circuit training, a minute or less is fine.

My rest periods are 3-5 minutes.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I would never rest more than 60 seconds between sets, and 5 minutes is ridiculous!

Then you never lift heavy and/or never lift to complete failure on every set.

Sure, if you're doing some kind of girly circuit training, a minute or less is fine.

My rest periods are 3-5 minutes.

Oh good, ive always been told that under a minute is what i should be using for my rest. It takes a couple of minutes of lying down or pacing about for me to start lifing things again. Figured i wasent as strong as these <1 min people. Especially when i lift for failure.