Strength workouts that keep heartrate up?

2

Replies

  • Go_Deskercise
    Go_Deskercise Posts: 1,630 Member
    Is your healthcare through Humana? Are you doing Go365?
  • mutantspicy
    mutantspicy Posts: 624 Member
    edited June 2018
    Scubdup wrote: »
    Thanks a lot for the replies. A lot of constructive criticism in there.

    I *do* accept that these workouts won't be the very best strength training, and so, to a degree, my question is, to an extent - "What is the best strength training I can do whilst maintaining a certain %max heartrate?"

    I'd be very grateful for any science-based info about the risk of ruining strength training with a high heart rate.

    By way of update, for anyone else looking for ideas on the same theme, yesterday I largely ended up doing a series of couplets where I alternated between a compound strength training exercise, and an exercise that was more suited to upping the heart rate (eg, bent dumbell rows and ab bicycles).

    To those insisting on a complete split between cardio and strength training, can you post what workouts you do to train your glycolytic system?

    There's nothing wrong with doing what you are suggesting by combining cardio and weights. You don't have to be a either weightlifter or a hamster on a cardio machine. Athletes combine mobility training, with cardio, plyometrics and strength. Its why they more "athletic" than body builders and power lifters. Fitness doesn't have to be just about building muscles and cutting fat. It can be about improving your skill set as well. As far as weightlifting routines to keep your heart rate up. I did the Body Beast routine a while back and that one was intense. A lot of pyramids with minimal rest, my heart was always running hot, and yes it was effective for building muscle. Its more of body builder routine than a strength builder. I'm not 100% certain what your exact goal is, do you want to build strength or do you want to build muscle? The latter is easier to find routines that will keep your hrm up. The former requires heavy weight low reps and lots of rest. I would look for Body builder and hypertrophy type training to accomplish what your OP is after.
  • JDMac82
    JDMac82 Posts: 3,192 Member
    I just take less time between sets. say its chest and shoulders day. Do a set of X reps of chest press, then right over to military press for x reps, back to chest press and do that until the sets and reps are complete. then into an ab set, into the next chest / shoulder sets and reps. Or however you have your routine setup. Keep the intesity up
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Scubdup wrote: »
    Thanks a lot for the replies. A lot of constructive criticism in there.

    I *do* accept that these workouts won't be the very best strength training, and so, to a degree, my question is, to an extent - "What is the best strength training I can do whilst maintaining a certain %max heartrate?"

    I'd be very grateful for any science-based info about the risk of ruining strength training with a high heart rate.

    By way of update, for anyone else looking for ideas on the same theme, yesterday I largely ended up doing a series of couplets where I alternated between a compound strength training exercise, and an exercise that was more suited to upping the heart rate (eg, bent dumbell rows and ab bicycles).

    To those insisting on a complete split between cardio and strength training, can you post what workouts you do to train your glycolytic system?

    For me - your picture may have thrown off that you are at a very good level of lifting.
    Perhaps that's not you, perhaps that is inspiration photo from prior fitness level, ect.

    It's not that you ruin your strength training with a high heart rate.
    It's that to maintain a constant higher HR like that requires cardio, and attempting to focus on that will by exclusion cause any strength training to not be the focus.

    So if you are already very strong doing say SL5x5, if you attempt several of the suggestions during the rests merely to keep the HR up high enough, you will have to lower the weight - won't take long to discover that.

    If you are lowering the weight and keeping at this routine, you will lose strength, body doesn't maintain what isn't needed and used.
    You will lower your strength to a new lower level.

    Which for certain goals and desires is just fine.

    The best with the given restriction - P90X or similar - at least they're attempting to be progressive on the strength training.

    When I was at gym doing my workouts - I'd lift first - do cardio 2nd. Lifting rest days was only cardio, usually using different muscles.
    So upper/lower split routine.
    Say Mon after upper lifting, hit pool for 30-60 min. Next day Tue would be an easy jog (because leg day was day after).
    Wed would be lower lifting, then do hill sprints from the gym for 60 min. Next day Thu would be swimming.
    Fri rest. Sat/Sun split the same.
    (whole thing thrown off when biking season began).
    That routine easily gave 6 days a week with 30 min cardio meeting your requirement, and progressive lifting as focus. Cardio was never so much (even on rest days) to ruin a good lifting session. (well, until biking started).

  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I split my workouts into three disciplines:

    Morning dailies: Push Ups - 4 sets of 50, Sit Ups - 4 sets of 50, Pull Ups - 4 sets of 12, mixing flutter kicks, planks, crunches, stretching, jumping jacks, vaults, box jumps, etc.

    Stronglifts 5x5 - M, W, F

    Run/Bike/Swim - 5 days/week - 30 mins minimum and varying depending on race cycles.
  • aliencheesecake
    aliencheesecake Posts: 569 Member
    Scubdup wrote: »
    Can anyone suggest good workout formats that will keep my heart rate above 70%max for 30 mins?
    I find compound exercises good for that. Squat press with dumbbells so you are working both small and large muscles... Also, things like clean and press with bar bell.

    30 Day shred may do it too. Because her sets are generally using weights and/or cardio with only a 30 sec rest between sets

  • Becky6621
    Becky6621 Posts: 7 Member
    I love to lift, I would rather lift than do cardio any day. In fact for me doing 30 minutes of cardio is pure torture as compared to an hour of lifting. If you are like me here are 3 things I have done which help me keep my heart rate up.

    1) During my "rest" periods between lifts do something cardio with the area I am not lifting that day. For example, if doing back and bi's walk/jog in place or do side steps during rest periods to get and keep my heart rate up. Be creative on what I do between sets and make if fun.

    2) Don't rest, when doing back and bi's alternate directly between doing a back set and use my "rest" time to do the other body part. For example, do lat pull downs, then move directly to a bicep circle.


    3) When you feel like a real challenge, do burpees during your rest periods, just watch your form here. Burpees can really tax you and if you do them with bad from you can hurt yourself.

  • lilymae71
    lilymae71 Posts: 23 Member
    If I'm lifting a heavy weight (I don't mean POWER lifting but not 5lb wts...), and I'm doing lower body ST? I can max out easily. Maybe I'm just not that fit but I'm thinking for 30 mins, I personally could easily do lower body work with weights and no problem.

    I saw that somebody said kettlebells and those are awesome, too, for a lighter weight (like 25lb) and do whole body work? It'd definitely do it.
  • calderstrake
    calderstrake Posts: 12 Member
    You can do a Les Mills Bodypump class. They use a barbell with weights to music. It is fun and a change of pace. The barbell (Smartbell) is designed to for quick removal and placing of weight plates. You can determine how much weight you want to lift. It is usually an hour long class and is hosted in quite a few fitness centers/gyms here in the USA and around the world. I know that the Powerhouse Gyms host them here.
    Egger29 wrote: »
    Superset Opposite muscle groups with no rest. (Chest/Back, Quads/Hamstrings, Biceps/Triceps, Isolated Shoulder Front, Side, Back).

    The opposing muscles rest and stretch while you to the opposite movement and you'll get a killer workout. Plus, you can do twice as much work in the same time as sitting between sets and phone scrolling.

    In my workout yesterday, I went between Bench Press and Lat Pull while two other people shared the same equipment so there was no time for rest. By the time I was done 3 sets each I was completely winded like I'd been running.

    Circuit style workouts work well too and most gyms have machines set up in a series specifically for that. Hard to do if it's busy though as the ideal is NOT to rest at all between machines and go around from one to the next without stopping.

    Similarly, if you're stuck with a single apparatus, you can do things in between sets on the floor: Crunches, Planks, Burpees...all good. Lots of ideas for you!

    Agree with these two. I like supersets in groups of two or three that target the same area. For example hack squat, sissy squat and Bulgarian squat all in a circuit. If you give yourself one minute on each exercise and only rest 30-45 seconds between each circuit, I'm pretty sure your HR will stay in the target range.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    Crossfit workouts do exactly that.

    You can find new ones everyday or search older ones here:

    https://www.crossfit.com/workout/
    Yes Crossfit has circuits with weights but power output is measured differently then it is understood in a traditional strength training like a 5x5 program. In plain language, power in Crossfit is measured by how much you weight move in a specific duration of time. If you test something like Fran one month and it takes you 5.5 mins and three months later you test Fran again and it takes you only 4.75 minutes it said your power output has increased. In both test the athlete only does a thruster of 75 pounds.

    Did the Crossfit athlete become stronger, or did the athlete just become better conditioned?

    Should be obvious that the athlete became better conditioned, but not stronger.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    edited June 2018
    Another vote for Circuit Training. Switch from one muscle group to another with little or no rest in-between. Keeps the heart rate average up and burns a ton of calories.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Crossfit workouts do exactly that.

    You can find new ones everyday or search older ones here:

    https://www.crossfit.com/workout/


    Did the Crossfit athlete become stronger, or did the athlete just become better conditioned?

    Should be obvious that the athlete became better conditioned, but not stronger.

    and that might be okay, right?

    some folks want to get stronger and stronger, others... conditioning is their larger goal.

    I happen to have mad respect for anyone that picks up a weight in any training capacity, that is: power lifters, body builders, cross fitters and silver sneakers. etc. etc.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Crossfit workouts do exactly that.

    You can find new ones everyday or search older ones here:

    https://www.crossfit.com/workout/


    Did the Crossfit athlete become stronger, or did the athlete just become better conditioned?

    Should be obvious that the athlete became better conditioned, but not stronger.

    and that might be okay, right?

    some folks want to get stronger and stronger, others... conditioning is their larger goal.

    I happen to have mad respect for anyone that picks up a weight in any training capacity, that is: power lifters, body builders, cross fitters and silver sneakers. etc. etc.
    Nothing wrong with that. In addition to being certified USAPL club coach, I am also CF-LV1.

    It’s important to demarcate the differences and to select the correct training methodology for the desired adaptation.
  • drisley77
    drisley77 Posts: 11 Member
    For me the best thing I found is a combo of kettlebells and sled push.
    For 15 minutes I do KB's.... the classic swing, 40s on then 20s off, for 15 mins total. Get a weight heavy enough to get your heart rate up. I start low then add as I go (35's, 45's, 55's then 75 lbs)
    Then the next 15 minutes I push a sled around a track.
    This combo hits both upper and lower body, and I burn about 350 calories in 30 minutes.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited June 2018
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    Crossfit workouts do exactly that.

    You can find new ones everyday or search older ones here:

    https://www.crossfit.com/workout/


    Did the Crossfit athlete become stronger, or did the athlete just become better conditioned?

    Should be obvious that the athlete became better conditioned, but not stronger.

    and that might be okay, right?

    some folks want to get stronger and stronger, others... conditioning is their larger goal.

    I happen to have mad respect for anyone that picks up a weight in any training capacity, that is: power lifters, body builders, cross fitters and silver sneakers. etc. etc.
    Nothing wrong with that. In addition to being certified USAPL club coach, I am also CF-LV1.

    It’s important to demarcate the differences and to select the correct training methodology for the desired adaptation.

    Bold hit the nail on the head.

    To answer the question "What is the best strength training I can do whilst maintaining a certain %max heartrate?"

    For me when I was training back up to a higher strength level I used my work gym for a kind of heavy lifting circuit training routine.
    Heavy and progressive weights but by alternating push/pull/upper/lower lifts I could give my muscle groups the recovery time they need to push close to your maximums.

    Unless the gym is empty you are being a right royal PITA to your fellow gym goers or you have to be creative in using a variety of exercises for each muscle group. (Work gym was quiet and I'm quite creative!)

    But when I got to a higher level of strength I couldn't progress anymore using that style of training and had to revert to the traditional long pause between sets style. It comes down to goals, capabilities and compromises.
  • Panthers89
    Panthers89 Posts: 153 Member
    Between sets of lifting, I walk around 1/4 mile inside the gym, either on an empty racquetball court, or a few flight of stairs to keep my heartrate up.
  • SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish
    SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish Posts: 831 Member
    edited June 2018
    I would think its pretty easy to keep that high if you are lifting heavy, and just reduce your rest time between sets, lighten the weight and do more reps. Use that same HRM they must be tracking to see how long you should rest between sets and do the next set before your heart rate goes down too significantly. Once you warm up and get into it, if you are doing a good effort for you on weights I find its probably at that range anyways and just not resting much would keep it there. The heavier a lift you do, the higher your HR spikes afterwards typically too, so of course you cant expect wrist curls to do this, but 175% body weight dips will spike it above that... of course it depends on your own strength vs heart fitness and output as well. Also, the longer your lifting session, the more it becomes more aerobic anyways, since you really can't keep it out of the aerobic zone for long.

    Of course I don't think that's a great way to weight train and wont help much for strength, and I'd just do a hike or some elliptical for 30 mins instead. Its super easy on the machine and tracks hr for you.
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    Crossfit workouts do exactly that.

    You can find new ones everyday or search older ones here:

    https://www.crossfit.com/workout/

    I was going to suggest just that. I lift heavy 4x a week and separately do crossfit WODs 2-3x a week (and run 3-4x a week).
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.
    “Dadpants” at one of the local Anytimes would do that to me —and those gyms are short on equipment to begin with. I moved last July, and Dadpants is now my next door neighbor and he and his wife are crazy.
  • Libby81
    Libby81 Posts: 734 Member
    How about adding a weights complex using barbells, dumbbells or kettlebells. Keep the weight low ish and don't put it back down until you have gone through all reps and sets of each exercise. Jen Sinklers Lift Weights Faster is great for already set up stuff to follow. Also Craig Ballentyne has some good stuff to
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.
    “Dadpants” at one of the local Anytimes would do that to me —and those gyms are short on equipment to begin with. I moved last July, and Dadpants is now my next door neighbor and he and his wife are crazy.

    Wow, small world! That is too funny!!!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Isn’t the point of resting between sets to... rest? Sorry I haven’t actually read all the replies.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.

    I used to at my old gym. I just started squatting one day. He started to give me some crap - I just gave him "the look" and told him he could either work in, or pick one station and use it - I don't care, but I was squatting.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.

    I used to at my old gym. I just started squatting one day. He started to give me some crap - I just gave him "the look" and told him he could either work in, or pick one station and use it - I don't care, but I was squatting.

    People are so obnoxious. Can’t wait to build a home gym when my membership is up in November lol.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.
    “Dadpants” at one of the local Anytimes would do that to me —and those gyms are short on equipment to begin with. I moved last July, and Dadpants is now my next door neighbor and he and his wife are crazy.

    Wow, small world! That is too funny!!!
    Lol yes. Hey are you interested in a new neighbor? I can give you Dadpants and his crazy wife. Free even!
  • Davidsdottir
    Davidsdottir Posts: 1,285 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    clobern80 wrote: »
    I do Super Sets where you go from one exercise to the next with no rest, then rest only 2 minutes before starting over. I also love doing circuit training with weights. I do 3 reps of each exercise (usually 8-10 different exercises) without stopping for 5 rounds, then take a 2 minute break. Then I do 3 rounds and another 2 minutes followed by the last 2 rounds.

    e.g.

    ***Do 5 sets of this***
    Bench Press x 3
    Dumbbell Curls x 3
    Tricep Pulldowns x 3
    Dumbbell Press x 3
    EZ Bar Curls x 3
    Tricep Extensions x3
    Leg Press x 3
    Calf Press x 3
    Leg Extension x 3

    ***After 5 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 3 sets of the above***

    ***After 3 sets, rest for 2 minutes***

    ***Do 2 sets of the above***

    This way, I get 30 total reps but instead of doing 3x10, I am doing 10x3 and can actually do heavier weights each time. I move from one exercise to the next, to the next, etc. so I get a good sweat on. Also, once I get in better shape, I add cardio like jumprope at the end of each set, so would do jumprope for 30 seconds or 60 seconds before starting over at the beginning.

    This is just a rough example, but you get the idea :)

    Just an advisory to those reading the above: if you try a multi-station circuit routine like this in most public gyms, you're going to get some major flak from the rest of the gym users. Everybody else isn't going to patiently stand around and wait for 30-45 minutes while you tie up virtually every piece of equipment in the gym for your workout.

    Disregard the above if you work out in a home gym, a crossfit/circuit-oriented gym, or you're fortunate enough to work out in a virtually empty public gym where you're not affecting everybody else's workouts.

    Ugh... we have a guy at my gym who does this every friggin morning. He hogs a bench, a squat rack, and some floor space for 45 min without fail.
    “Dadpants” at one of the local Anytimes would do that to me —and those gyms are short on equipment to begin with. I moved last July, and Dadpants is now my next door neighbor and he and his wife are crazy.

    Wow, small world! That is too funny!!!
    Lol yes. Hey are you interested in a new neighbor? I can give you Dadpants and his crazy wife. Free even!

    I think I'm all set with the neighbors I've got. They're all pretty quiet and keep to themselves LOL
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