Rest Between Sets?

[Gene]

How long are bodybuilders supposed to rest between sets? I've heard 2-3 minutes and to avoid over 3 minutes... What's so special about 3 minutes? I see guys walk around for 4-5 minutes between sets... So what's the standard and what are the preferences around here?

[Tedmax195]

I usually do it like this if i'm trying to lose weight i shorten it to 30 sec and 1 minute, If i'm doin major movements like squats/deadlift i usually wait till i have caught my breath , what are you trying to achieve Cut/ Bulk

[BigD]

True it depends on if you’re cutting or bulking.

I'm currently trying to cut so I rest 45secs between reps. This just keeps my heart rate up while working out thus burning more calories.

[jbrand]

Rest intervals should be determined by the nature of the movement (compound movements recruit more motor units/more neurologically demanding) and the intensity (% of 1RM/lower reps generally require longer rest intervals) of the movement.

[skiboy]

right, 90 sec. is good, you should still be a little tired when you do your set but not fully recovered
peace

[bigblanco]

anything over 2 minutes and your muscles are already starting to cool down. i shoot for 60 seconds, when i'm trying to bulk up its closer to 2min

[tt333]

If your cutting, 60sec at the most. If your bulking you could take 5 min after every set. Its alot diffrent for bulking then cutting.

[Gene]

Why? What's the big difference?

60 seconds rest between failure sets? That sounds impossible... are you implying not taking sets to failure?