Timing between sets?

I just started doing a full body workout 3 days/week by Chad Waterbury from t-nation. I've been lifting 2 years. I'm female, 5'5'', 121 lbs. BF % is around 16-18%. I'm going for even more muscle, reduced body fat.

Heres my question: Each day has different # of reps to complete and with that there are different rest periods
Day 1 --- 3 sets, 5 reps, 60 sec. between sets
Day 2 --- 3 sets, 8 reps, 90 sec. between set
Day 3 --- 2 sets, 15 reps, 120 sec. between sets

Particularly on Day 3, the rest of 120 seconds seems LONG.. I mean I feel perfectly capable of doing my 15 reps again at 60 or so seconds or so. Is it really necessary for me to wait 120 seconds?

Thanks in advance!

Emily
 
i have not read the routine but i would have thought you would need a longer rest during the 5 reps as the weight would be heavier...but if you can go again before 120 then go for it.
i have a study somewhere that says it doesnt matter how long you rest between sets as long as you are recovered enough to lift the weight in good form then go for it,lifting it sooner or later wont make you any bigger:rolleyes:
 
If you are ready to go before the alotted rest time is expired you are not working with enough intensity. Perhaps you should try increasing the weights.
 
dswithers said:
If you are ready to go before the alotted rest time is expired you are not working with enough intensity. Perhaps you should try increasing the weights.

I would tend to agree, as long as the trainee isn't a total newbie. reason being, just because your muscles can push harder, doesn't mean your tendons and ligaments are strong enough yet. so you need to proceed with caution for a novice trainee.

but if you've been training for a while, and the fullbody thing is just a change in routine...then yeah, kick it up a couple notches.

I'm doing something very much like Chad's total body training, and it absolutely kicks my butt in the gym. I'm not in pain, it just should really leave you feeling like you accomplished a lot. and with fullbodys...you ARE.
 
luvmydane said:
I just started doing a full body workout 3 days/week by Chad Waterbury from t-nation. I've been lifting 2 years. I'm female, 5'5'', 121 lbs. BF % is around 16-18%. I'm going for even more muscle, reduced body fat.

Heres my question: Each day has different # of reps to complete and with that there are different rest periods
Day 1 --- 3 sets, 5 reps, 60 sec. between sets
Day 2 --- 3 sets, 8 reps, 90 sec. between set
Day 3 --- 2 sets, 15 reps, 120 sec. between sets

Particularly on Day 3, the rest of 120 seconds seems LONG.. I mean I feel perfectly capable of doing my 15 reps again at 60 or so seconds or so. Is it really necessary for me to wait 120 seconds?

Thanks in advance!

Emily
That rep:rest ratio makes no sense...are you sure that it's not supposed to be the other way around, i.e. 60 seconds after 15 reps, and 120 seconds after 5?

You can take a look at an article that i wrote for Men's Fitness which actually goes into some detail on rest during sets (as well as other routine variables):
 
The rest periods usually get longer as the reps/set get lower, since the weight should logically go up as you're training for strength and you need the extra time for a metabolic and neurologic recovery.
 
Back
Top