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How do you know when to do another rep and when not to?

Traptack
Traptack Posts: 6
edited February 3 in Fitness and Exercise
For those that have done insanity or any other type of workout where you do numerous reps for a certain exercise- how do you know whether you should be doing one more ski jump/squat and when to catch a breather? Like i'll try my best to pump as much reps as I can, but one of two things happen

- I run out of breath
- my legs (when doing jumps/squats) start having that burning feel

when you have that burning feel in your leg do you push forward and ignore that feeling or stop and let yourself recover a bit?

Replies

  • jeremyw1977
    jeremyw1977 Posts: 505 Member
    If your body permits you to do another rep, then do another rep.
    If your body feels like it can't possibly do another rep, then do another rep.
  • Traptack
    Traptack Posts: 6
    If your body permits you to do another rep, then do another rep.
    If your body feels like it can't possibly do another rep, then do another rep.

    in short till your body drops huh? thanks
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    It depends what your goal is, but for most people, you don't need to work to complete muscle failure, nor is it necessarily a good idea. The risk of injuries goes up when you "work till you drop" - especially on explosive exercises like jump squats. Speaking from experience here (currently sidelined from a torn calf). Getting in shape isn't about beating yourself up, it's about staying physically active.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    It depends what your goal is, but for most people, you don't need to work to complete muscle failure, nor is it necessarily a good idea. The risk of injuries goes up when you "work till you drop" - especially on explosive exercises like jump squats. Speaking from experience here (currently sidelined from a torn calf). Getting in shape isn't about beating yourself up, it's about staying physically active.

    Yep this definitely and I'll add that sometimes working to failure can work against progress. If you get so sore the next day that it affects your workout then it can be better to back off a little earlier. Working to failure is very taxing on your central nervous system.

    I think progressive overload is the key rather than working to failure. Just make sure you're doing more reps or increasing in weight from week to week and you'll be fine. Progress not perfection
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