What do you do between sets?

Loralrose
Loralrose Posts: 203
in Fitness and Exercise
I get really bored waiting that minute or two between sets. Plus, at the gym I worry that people will get mad at me if they think I'm staring at them or something. How do you keep yourself busy while you're not actually lifting anything?
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Replies

  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    use the little computer i carry around that can make phone calls as well
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    I switched to circuit training so there is no rest. I get too easily distracted if I have to rest. :drinker: but you could do a bit of stretching I guess
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    play Candy Crush
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Catch my breath for a second then get back at it. I'll rest when I'm dead.

    Btw, people won't get mad if you happen to catch eye contact in between sets. it's a normal enough occurrence at the gym, just get used to it.
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    I pant.
  • BeardedMike
    BeardedMike Posts: 52 Member
    I usually try to focus on my breathing, making sure its rhythmic and proper diaphragm breathing. I see a lot of people just panting away, although after a really hard set I'm exactly the same
  • 1911JR
    1911JR Posts: 276
    I super set exercises the majority of the time... I try and not rest any longer than it takes to do a set. Or, I spend that "quick" break stretching. And usually stretching a different body part than what I am training.

    Only thing that I put longer rest intervals between are squats and deadlifts.
  • mxmkenney
    mxmkenney Posts: 486 Member
    I dunno what I would do at the gym. I dance in my home gym (garage) where no one can see me. Sometime I flex in the mirror. ;)
  • shinkalork
    shinkalork Posts: 815 Member
    DIE !!!
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I usually walk to the water fountain, slowly, and get a small drink. Good way to be distracted while you wait for your heart rate to drop.
  • lookin4gains
    lookin4gains Posts: 1,761 Member
    Usually I pace back and forth looking at the ground focusing on my next set and thinking about keeping correct form. I very rarely look at anybody else in the gym.
  • GertrudeHorse
    GertrudeHorse Posts: 646 Member
    I take my Kindle to the gym and read between sets.
  • moya_rargh
    moya_rargh Posts: 1,473 Member
    Log my set on my phone, set my rest timer then pace about thinking about the set that I've just done in terms of form, correct amount of weight etc.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    If you are waiting long enough to actually feel bored, then maybe it is time to shorten the waiting time. Or try alternating exercises (not necessarily a full circuit).
  • bushidowoman
    bushidowoman Posts: 1,599 Member
    Hand conditioning on the makiwara. (I work out at home.)
  • moya_rargh
    moya_rargh Posts: 1,473 Member
    Catch my breath for a second then get back at it. I'll rest when I'm dead.

    Btw, people won't get mad if you happen to catch eye contact in between sets. it's a normal enough occurrence at the gym, just get used to it.

    My gym must look like an autistic help seminar. The only time anybody makes eye contact is when they need a spotter for the next set! My gym is full of some big fellas and they train seriously! Still, I'd rather that than waiting for a gang of 'bros' to finish their hilarious anecdote while hogging the squat rack for bicep curls!!! :laugh:
  • bheathfit
    bheathfit Posts: 451 Member
    Typically find an alternative exercise for the next in my super set.

    The gang of Bro's tends to migrate and talk about Jerry Springer, how tasty the quart of ice cream they just ate was and ask each other why they are not gaining muscle and/or losing weight...

    edit:

    If I have a second, I look at previous lifts for this workout to ensure that I am either lifting more weight or doing more reps to progress each time...
  • felonebeats
    felonebeats Posts: 433
    I only rest for 15 seconds so I just get some water in
  • Loralrose
    Loralrose Posts: 203
    use the little computer i carry around that can make phone calls as well

    Ahhhh. My phone is not very smart, it hasn't learned how to use the internet.
  • 1swolpanda
    1swolpanda Posts: 120 Member
    what u can also do durring rest sets, is get a light weight and do range of motion movements, it makes the workout harder, all the rest needs to be is a time where u are exerting that part of the muscle, when u drop weight a differant layer of the muscle will be the primary causeing it to build the strength in it if anything
  • AlwaysInMotion
    AlwaysInMotion Posts: 409 Member
    Hmmmm, I rest maybe 30 seconds tops. Now I'm wondering if I'm doing it wrong... I might do a quick stretch or log the set on my phone, but then I get on with it!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I walk around track if squats or deads to get energy back, so I can push just as hard on the 2nd set as the 1st.
    Otherwise water fountain and back in 1-2 min.

    It's been very obvious to me the difference between minimal rest and enough rest to overload with weight, not overload without enough recovery.

    But then again, people do lifting for different reasons - some are circuit training and don't want enough rest to push as heavy as they could otherwise.
    They are trying to burn more calories by making it more cardio focus with strength side benefit, not to go heavier on weight requiring repairs to get stronger faster or add muscle if diet allows.
  • Mr_Excitement
    Mr_Excitement Posts: 833 Member
    Flex at the mirror, pick up on women who are trying to workout, stare at strangers and make the "I'm judging you" face... you know.
  • fificrazy
    fificrazy Posts: 234
    play Candy Crush

    Haha better not bring a fully charged phone- could end up spending much more time in the gym than originally intended...
  • crystal075
    crystal075 Posts: 33 Member
    Hello, I dont rest longer than 15-30 seconds between sets. I also do circuits straight through, or HIIT of a cardio move between lifting sets. I really could care less if everyone is watching me bust out burpees or mountain climbers between lifting sets in the middle of the room, its my workout.
  • Chaskavitch
    Chaskavitch Posts: 172 Member
    Definitely superset, unless it is something wicked hard. My sister and I lift together most of the time, though, so we switch off. One of us will do DL while the other does split squats, or DB press and BB rows. If I'm alone, I usually do something plyometric; jump squats after DL or mountain climbers after bench, etc. At least then you're not the jerk who sits on the squat rack for 5 minutes between sets texting (while ignoring the dirty looks we give you).
  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    More sets

    I superset everything, the only rest time I get is switching from one piece of equiptment to the next. Facebook, twitter, and candy crush have no place in my workout.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    Sweep, dust and put stuff away because garages get dirty and my SO isn't good about putting things away.
  • TheEffort
    TheEffort Posts: 1,028 Member
    Try incorporating "Supersets" ...moving between exercises leaves less opportunity for idle time. :wink:
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    check out chicks.
    talk to my neighbor lifters if I know them.

    I.E.
    rest.

    then go back to lifting.

    reducing rest is only a good idea if that's a goal- if you are trying to up lifts- you need rests to help. Super setting only gets you so far when it comes to power lifting.

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