New to serious strength training

jesscoff320

I'm new to serious strength training. I am doing 3 sets of 10-15 reps three days a week. My question is, how long should you rest between sets?

carlierenee

I rest one minute.

Vonwarr

It depends on the exercise, the weight (how close it is to the max you could lift), and the desired training effect.

During circuit work or while trying to increase conditioning, it could be as little as 30s. Really heavy sets (1-2 reps at your max or close to it) could be 3-5 minutes between sets.

I highly recommend checking out a beginner's program like New Rules of Lifting for Women, Starting Strength, or Stronglifts 5x5 for a balanced approach to strength training.

GiddyupTim

I think the idea is that you are waiting for your breathing to recover and your heart rate to return to normal. Some people get confused and believe they are waiting for their muscles to recover. You really aren't. You are trying to work your muscles to fatigue, or close to it anyway.

cpalumbo89

http://scoobysworkshop.com/

rick_po

Some people track the rest times (along with weight, reps, and sets), and decrease it over time to add intensity.

I don't do that, though. I rest until my heart rate is back to a semi-normal level. I'm lifting in the 5-rep range for my heaviest work sets, and 2 minutes of rest is usually enough. During lighter warm-up sets, I usually get impatient and don't rest at all.

bumblebums

I rest until I'm ready (usually when my heart beat returns to normal and I feel like I could do another set). I don't time my rest periods, but it's probably at least a minute.

jesscoff320

Thank you. I'm not lifting very heavy yet. Actually, I'm still trying to determine what weight to use for most. So, I think I'll be safe with short rest periods.