What do you do between sets?

2

Replies

  • 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.
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    I help change the weight on the bar for my bf, spot him, switch the weight back to my working weight, log our set on my phone, take a few sips of water and then get back on it.

    Before I had a gym partner I'd play on my phone or just zone out for a bit. I've been caught staring at other people but it's not on purpose.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I've been caught staring at other people but it's not on purpose.

    lol yer doing it wrong. that's half the fun ;)
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 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.

    ^^^ this.
  • fireytiger
    fireytiger Posts: 236 Member
    I usually just kinda stand there like an idiot for a minute, lol. I have lately taken to watching the second hand on the clock like a hawk so it looks like i'm really serious about my exercise (I am, but in all honesty I don't know what else to do lol).
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    Check what I'm doing next. Worry about my form a lot.
  • manda1978
    manda1978 Posts: 525 Member
    pace, stretch, have a drink then back into it.
  • fit_war
    fit_war Posts: 985 Member
    play Hay Day:laugh:
  • Staniel_2013
    Staniel_2013 Posts: 120 Member
    I usually just kinda stand there like an idiot for a minute, lol. I have lately taken to watching the second hand on the clock like a hawk so it looks like i'm really serious about my exercise (I am, but in all honesty I don't know what else to do lol).

    This, or stare at myself in the mirror. Occasionally I'll look around to see what other poeple are doing.
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    Log my set, catch my breath, prep my bar for the next set, drink water, flex in the mirror.

    Rest - pretty much!
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    First the first lift or two of the session (i.e. the compounds) I don't do anything except stretch a little and walk around a bit. For the later ones, I will superset some of them but if it's still an intense lift I will just start my timer and stand there. There are TV's around so I usually end up looking at one of those. Which is why I have to set my timer!

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