All Sets in a Row?

emacb123

Hi, I'm looking at some beginning weight training "Routines" that list the exercises, number of sets and number of reps. My question is do you do one set of each and then go back to the first exercise and go through them all again for the second and third sets? Or do you do 3 sets of the first exercise before moving to the next 3 sets of the second exercise etc.?

ladyark

As far as the sets are concerned i am really not sure if there is a best way to do it. For me, i am only doing 2 sets right now and i do them both back to back and then move on to the next machine or exercise. That is a good question though and i look forward to reading the responses.

findingfit23

Im doing Stronglifts, it calls to do all 5 sets of one exercise, then move on to the next 5 sets.

imchicbad

You do one exercise, like say bench press - then do your reps 10/12/20 whatever, and rest then the next set, once your done, do the next exercise. This is because in the gym, you use one set of weights or machine until your done. It would be too hard to go between 2 different machines, and my gym want allow it because its not fair for anyone to take up two machines and make everyone wait But if your home, you could do whatever you like

Mighty_Rabite

I try to switch it up a lot myself. If I'm at the gym, I'll usually finish all sets for one particular exercise before going to the next just because of how quickly things are taken up there. If I'm at home, I'll often cycle through all planned exercises for the desired number of sets.

emacb123

You do one exercise, like say bench press - then do your reps 10/12/20 whatever, and rest then the next set, once your done, do the next exercise. This is because in the gym, you use one set of weights or machine until your done. It would be too hard to go between 2 different machines, and my gym want allow it because its not fair for anyone to take up two machines and make everyone wait But if your home, you could do whatever you like

Right! Okay, got it.

I'll be starting out at home so hadn't even considered having to share resources at the gym. Thank you!

emacb123

I try to switch it up a lot myself. If I'm at the gym, I'll usually finish all sets for one particular exercise before going to the next just because of how quickly things are taken up there. If I'm at home, I'll often cycle through all planned exercises for the desired number of sets.

Good to know it is okay to mix. I think my first instinct would be to cycle through them, but I can see wanting to change that up, too! Thanks!

AnvilHead

It depends on how the workout is set up. Some use supersets/giant sets, in which you do 2-3 (or more) different exercises for one particular muscle group one after another, with minimal rest in between; one set each, then go back to the beginning for your second, third, etc. sets, then move on to the next muscle group and repeat. Others are set up so that you do all the sets for one exercise, then move on to the next.

For example:

Supersets:
1x8 bench press, then
1x8 flyes, then
1x8 dips.
Repeat 3 times.

Straight sets:
3x8 bench press, then
3x8 flyes, then
3x8 dips.
You're done.

JNick77

Hi, I'm looking at some beginning weight training "Routines" that list the exercises, number of sets and number of reps. My question is do you do one set of each and then go back to the first exercise and go through them all again for the second and third sets? Or do you do 3 sets of the first exercise before moving to the next 3 sets of the second exercise etc.?

Can you post what you're looking at? Does it appear to list an order?

Example of doing one exercise at a time:
A1 - Exercise 1
B1 - Exercise 2
C1 - Exercise 3
etc....

Example of doing exercises consecutively one after the other
A1 - Exercise 1
A2 - Exercise 2
A3 - Exercise 3
A4 - Exercise 4

Those are common representations of an exercise layout.

mamagooskie

I strength train 3 times a week (with a trainer) and it's always different. Sometimes I do the same exercise going heavier and heavier to failure, sometimes I do one exercise then a completely different body part and alternate for 3 complete sets......I don't think there is a wrong way.

it's good to change it up, as long as all muscles get worked.