gonna ask a stupid question... what are reps/sets?

myssjaxson
myssjaxson Posts: 89 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Please bare with me and my newbie-ness. But what does it mean to do so many sets of so many reps or the other way around? (I know I said that so very wrong)
I'd make an effort to try and sound the least bit educated but if someone will pity me and just give me an explanation I would really appreciate it lol.

Replies

  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    Reps is short for repetitions. A set is everything you do right after another without pause. So for example 3 sets of 5 reps would be 5 repetitions, taking a break, 5 repetitions, taking a break, 5 repetitions.
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    Yes, with "a break" usually 30, 60, 90 seconds, usually depending on how heavy you're lifting.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    This is a long read (you have to keep going to the next link/article) but it will give you a bunch of good solid info: http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/the-ultimate-weight-training-workout-routine/
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    stevencloser wrote: »
    Reps is short for repetitions. A set is everything you do right after another without pause. So for example 3 sets of 5 reps would be 5 repetitions, taking a break, 5 repetitions, taking a break, 5 repetitions.

    For example, if you are doing 3 sets of 5 reps of squats: Do 5 squats, take a break, 5 squats, take a break, 5 squats. That is your 3 sets of 5!

    And don't feel bad, we all start somewhere :smile:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,988 Member
    Think of a matchbook. Think of how many matches are in the book.

    The match book is the SET. The matches are the REPS.

    So if you're told to do 5x5, that's 5 reps for 5 sets.
    10x4 would be 10 reps for 4 sets.

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  • mrp56839
    mrp56839 Posts: 159 Member
    Can I piggyback on the "stupid question" thread?

    If the bar is 45#, and there are 35# on each end, is the weight considered 115# or 80#?
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    mrp56839 wrote: »
    Can I piggyback on the "stupid question" thread?

    If the bar is 45#, and there are 35# on each end, is the weight considered 115# or 80#?

    Total weight.
  • mrp56839
    mrp56839 Posts: 159 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    mrp56839 wrote: »
    Can I piggyback on the "stupid question" thread?

    If the bar is 45#, and there are 35# on each end, is the weight considered 115# or 80#?

    Total weight.

    Lol thanks.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    mrp56839 wrote: »
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    mrp56839 wrote: »
    Can I piggyback on the "stupid question" thread?

    If the bar is 45#, and there are 35# on each end, is the weight considered 115# or 80#?

    Total weight.

    Lol thanks.

    You're welcome :flowerforyou:
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    So is a superset where rather than resting you insert a different exercise or is it something different?
  • AdrianChr92
    AdrianChr92 Posts: 567 Member
    edited January 2016
    A super set can be for same body part (eg: barbell curls then hammer curls) or for different parts (abs then calfs). Bodybuilders usually like to superset same muscle to induce hypertrophy harder. I super set biceps and triceps to save time

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