Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 40 of 47
Like Tree23Likes

Thread: Killing time in between sets?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Cat Island
    Posts
    700
    Blog Entries
    6

    Killing time in between sets?

    What do you guys do in between sets?

    After I annotate my notes I usually like to walk around especially on leg day until my rest time is up. Sometimes I will just sit and watch the gym tv.

    Anyways this is just a curious topic, chime in if you like.

    -Cheers

  2. #2
    73rr's Avatar
    73rr is offline Knowledgeable Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    1,764
    Count until it's time to start my next set. This way I keep a good tempo and I don't take to long of a break

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Cat Island
    Posts
    700
    Blog Entries
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by 73rr View Post
    Count until it's time to start my next set. This way I keep a good tempo and I don't take to long of a break
    Haha I used to do the same, now I keep a stop clock going on my phone. An additional 30sec of rest may not seem like much but it makes a world of difference to your CNS. I find the stop watch more accurate.

  4. #4
    novastepp's Avatar
    novastepp is offline Have You Picked a Fight Lately?
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    in a dilapidated apt.
    Posts
    14,924
    Quote Originally Posted by hellomycognomen
    What do you guys do in between sets? After I annotate my notes I usually like to walk around especially on leg day until my rest time is up. Sometimes I will just sit and watch the gym tv. Anyways this is just a curious topic, chime in if you like. -Cheers
    I keep to 60 seconds to 90 seconds between sets. I prefer my intensity to be high and remain high. I concentrate on trying to catch my breath then I make sure my music is where I want it to return to my mental zone. By that time I'm slapping myself in the face, taunting myself in the mirror, and returning to the iron.
    almostgone and wellshii like this.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Cat Island
    Posts
    700
    Blog Entries
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by novastepp View Post
    I keep to 60 seconds to 90 seconds between sets. I prefer my intensity to be high and remain high. I concentrate on trying to catch my breath then I make sure my music is where I want it to return to my mental zone. By that time I'm slapping myself in the face, taunting myself in the mirror, and returning to the iron.
    Haha Been there brother. I invoke a similar mental pump during my heavy chest day. Nothing beats kicking up the aggression and crushing the set.

  6. #6
    Bio-Active's Avatar
    Bio-Active is online now AR-Hall of Famer
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    L.A
    Posts
    24,676
    Usually finish the song I'm listening to and then go to the next set

  7. #7
    Buster Brown's Avatar
    Buster Brown is offline Knowledgeable Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Proud Bostonian
    Posts
    4,722
    In leg day I sit between sets .....I wouldn't stand on my hands so why do it to your legs as you blow them away. I power build more or less so my first compound movement (after a light warm up exercise) my rep scheme from 8/6/5/3/3/3 to 8/8/6/6/5/4 (you guys get the point) during this exercise I go when I am ready to go. The remainder of the workout I try to keep rest between sets to a minimum. Accessory exercises I will take 45-60 seconds and keep it moving because there is no point to extended breaks as all of the heavy work has been performed. I don't get caught up in a watch anymore and just train instinctively.......

  8. #8
    Splifton's Avatar
    Splifton is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Between Here And There
    Posts
    330
    I try to remember to breath and not hit my head on any dangling lat pulldown bars.

  9. #9
    marcus300's Avatar
    marcus300 is offline ~Retired~ AR-Platinum Elite-Hall of Famer ~
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    ENGLAND
    Posts
    40,922
    I try and recover from my working set, I feel like I am on the edge of dying so trying to recover and bring myself down and then get ready mentally for what ever is coming next. Pre and post working set is a very hard time form me this is due to how I train and what I have to do on my working set.
    bartman314 and almostgone like this.

  10. #10
    NACH3's Avatar
    NACH3 is offline VET
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Baking chicken
    Posts
    19,418
    Blog Entries
    2
    Edit** I read it wrong - wrote how long I try and go between sets...

    Recover from that eorking set which has yiur eyes shaking seeing stars and collapsing then pound some water recover to the best of my abilities as im adding or taking away plates for my next set and back right at it
    Last edited by NACH3; 12-02-2015 at 02:14 PM.
    almostgone likes this.

  11. #11
    TheTaxMan's Avatar
    TheTaxMan is offline 100% BRITISH BEEF
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    ENGLAND
    Posts
    3,395
    Drink water and get straight back into it,
    I train at home so play with my baby boy inbetween

  12. #12
    AR's King Silabolin's Avatar
    AR's King Silabolin is offline Castle Power
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    7,496
    Look in the mirror, feel the pump, pose, stretch, squize the muscles, especially when training chest.
    Not talk to others, look at TV.....
    But sometimes i look at my cellphone to see more messages from girls and raise testo that way.-)

  13. #13
    CaptainGoose is offline Junior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    57
    Start my stop watch right after I'm done the set. Mark down the completed or uncompleted reps/set in my log book. Then after take a sip of water, look in the mirror, tinder, change the song I'm listening to. I try not to socialize because that messes up the rhythm of my rest time but sometimes it happens. I feel like a dick when I cut someone off and say I gotta do a set lol

  14. #14
    Khazima's Avatar
    Khazima is offline Knowledgeable Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,058
    Depends on a few things, during my main work (squat bench deadlift and their close variations) I might rest 5+ minutes at a time so I'll sit down/reply to my girlfriend/text clients/chat to people then go whenever I feel fully recovered.

    If I'm doing accessory/hypertrophy focused work the rest times are 30-90 seconds so I'll usually walk around/reply to a text quickly/get a drink or just sit there.

    All of the above I'll do after the 10-15 seconds it requires to gain my composure/get my breath back.

  15. #15
    ggerman's Avatar
    ggerman is offline Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    113
    Trolling. Nothing.

  16. #16
    wellshii is offline Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    675
    I workout at home,and doing 5x5 gives me more research time,on anything. When im doing minute rest,only time is to add plates.

  17. #17
    bartman314's Avatar
    bartman314 is offline Productive Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    boston
    Posts
    788
    i try not to pass out or throw up. when my brain/body is almost back from that edge, time for another. try hit... there's nothing like it.
    almostgone likes this.

  18. #18
    Euroholic is offline "ARs Pork Eating Crusader"
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    A world without islam!!!!
    Posts
    7,092
    Think about the set i just did and the set to come.

    Anyone else do this?

  19. #19
    Mr.BB's Avatar
    Mr.BB is offline Anabolic Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    HOME
    Posts
    6,902
    If you have "time to kill" during sets you are doing something wrong.

    There should only be enough time to catch breath (sometimes its hard just to do this), drink some water, add plates and concentrate on next set.

    In my gym there's a bunch of morons that dont even break a sweat, chatting around and browsing phones between sets...

  20. #20
    73rr's Avatar
    73rr is offline Knowledgeable Member
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Posts
    1,764
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr.BB View Post
    If you have "time to kill" during sets you are doing something wrong.

    There should only be enough time to catch breath (sometimes its hard just to do this), drink some water, add plates and concentrate on next set.

    In my gym there's a bunch of morons that dont even break a sweat, chatting around and browsing phones between sets...
    Ppl got to check there Facebook u now!!! Lol I hate seeing that and then seeing them complain in the locker room that nothing has changed for them.

  21. #21
    kelkel's Avatar
    kelkel is offline HRT Specialist ~ AR-Platinum Elite-Hall of Famer ~ No Source Checks
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    East Coast Dungeon
    Posts
    30,111
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr.BB View Post
    If you have "time to kill" during sets you are doing something wrong.

    There should only be enough time to catch breath (sometimes its hard just to do this), drink some water, add plates and concentrate on next set.
    Bingo!
    Splifton, KurtMiles and almostgone like this.
    -*- NO SOURCE CHECKS -*-

  22. #22
    musclestack is offline Productive Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    2,093
    Quote Originally Posted by Buster Brown View Post
    In leg day I sit between sets .....I wouldn't stand on my hands so why do it to your legs as you blow them away. I power build more or less so my first compound movement (after a light warm up exercise) my rep scheme from 8/6/5/3/3/3 to 8/8/6/6/5/4 (you guys get the point) during this exercise I go when I am ready to go. The remainder of the workout I try to keep rest between sets to a minimum. Accessory exercises I will take 45-60 seconds and keep it moving because there is no point to extended breaks as all of the heavy work has been performed. I don't get caught up in a watch anymore and just train instinctively.......
    ^^Exactly how I train. I also power build.

  23. #23
    novastepp's Avatar
    novastepp is offline Have You Picked a Fight Lately?
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    in a dilapidated apt.
    Posts
    14,924
    Quote Originally Posted by hellomycognomen
    Haha Been there brother. I invoke a similar mental pump during my heavy chest day. Nothing beats kicking up the aggression and crushing the set.
    Heck yeah! I take more time pumping myself up for squats, deads, bench press, etc than it takes me to perform the set. I figured I get about 40 seconds to dial it in after breathing and lightly stretching and flexing.

  24. #24
    Splifton's Avatar
    Splifton is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Between Here And There
    Posts
    330
    While on this topic...

    Would maintaining a mild/moderate level of isometric contraction in the target muscle being worked during this period of killing time be a beneficial habit? Sometimes on my chest workout, I'll cross my fingers in a way that my palms face outward while pushing out. It helps to fully contract the pectoralis major/minor in my experience, but also furthers the duration of "burn" in my muscles as well as maintaining the pump. I've only been able to have success practicing this with my chest due to relative inexperience and poor mind-muscle connectivity.

  25. #25
    tarmyg's Avatar
    tarmyg is offline Knowledgeable Member
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    6,964
    Blog Entries
    162
    I find this a hilarious question, no offense to the OP I hope. One of my favorite guys wrote an entire blog article once called "What To Do In Between Sets To Maximize Growth" with the simple answer being "resting/chilling/doing nothing".
    KurtMiles likes this.

  26. #26
    brazilian10's Avatar
    brazilian10 is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    A-R-T
    Posts
    162
    Quote Originally Posted by hellomycognomen View Post
    What do you guys do in between sets?

    After I annotate my notes I usually like to walk around especially on leg day until my rest time is up. Sometimes I will just sit and watch the gym tv.

    Anyways this is just a curious topic, chime in if you like.

    -Cheers
    Random question but how long do you wait in between sets?
    What is it recommended?

  27. #27
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Cat Island
    Posts
    700
    Blog Entries
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by tarmyg View Post
    I find this a hilarious question, no offense to the OP I hope. One of my favorite guys wrote an entire blog article once called "What To Do In Between Sets To Maximize Growth" with the simple answer being "resting/chilling/doing nothing".
    Haha. It just came to me out of curiosity since I like to walk around the gym especially in between heavy leg day sets. I felt like people were judging me, like wtf is this guy doing just walking around. Not that I care but a 3 min rest can be a long time.

    I don't subscribe to the HIT style of training so inter set rest periods are very important.

  28. #28
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Cat Island
    Posts
    700
    Blog Entries
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by brazilian10 View Post
    Random question but how long do you wait in between sets?
    What is it recommended?
    Depends on many things here are a few:

    1. The training philosophy you subscribe to (intensity vs volume vs auto-regulation, etc).
    2. The amount of load you are lifting. ie the heavier the load the longer the rest period will be for full recuperation.
    3. Your training goals (strength, power, endurance, etc)

    * keep in mind that muscle recovery takes place faster than CNS recovery, so while you may feel ready to go your CNS may not be. Here accurate timing is important, those extra 30sec can make the difference.

  29. #29
    jackfrost88 is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Alberta
    Posts
    473
    Stretch, check phone, drink water or sit.

  30. #30
    Ashop's Avatar
    Ashop is offline Anabolic Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    9,933
    Quote Originally Posted by hellomycognomen View Post
    What do you guys do in between sets?

    After I annotate my notes I usually like to walk around especially on leg day until my rest time is up. Sometimes I will just sit and watch the gym tv.

    Anyways this is just a curious topic, chime in if you like.

    -Cheers
    I only rest for 1min and 30 seconds so I take some air in and drink some water. I typically don't move off or away from whatever piece of equipment I'm using.
    OdinsOtherSon likes this.

  31. #31
    tcw's Avatar
    tcw
    tcw is offline Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1,384
    I rest only enough to finish my next set. Sometimes that means only 30 seconds. Sometimes its up to 4 or 5 minutes depending on how I feel. You can't go high intensity low rest between sets more than 30 days without burnout. You'll see... Get back to me after you trained for 20 years.
    cgeorgemeow and almostgone like this.

  32. #32
    Trapology's Avatar
    Trapology is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    The Trap
    Posts
    290
    I normally get it, find something to walk to with a decent distance, walk back and do my next set.

  33. #33
    bigjohnny1 is offline New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    26
    Keep a water bottle next to you. Drink some and hit the weights back.

  34. #34
    45lb's Avatar
    45lb is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    423
    Track my set on my iPhone, start the timer for rest, take a drink, walk around till next set.

  35. #35
    MSphysique is offline New Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    29
    I fill in my little black book with my workout in it, updating it on my most recent set, then I get straight back into it

  36. #36
    flip888 is offline New Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    17
    I find that if I do anything at all I can get too distracted and it can mess up my workout. I usually just stand there till its time to lift again. I'm a really focused guy but if I get distracted I'll focus on whatever distracts me

  37. #37
    username101 is offline New Member
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    34
    Go straight onto another exercise mate, don't waste time sitting around doing nothing. :P

  38. #38
    Scabtree's Avatar
    Scabtree is offline Associate Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    465
    I usually talk to my self quietly. That way, people won't touch my weights, or ask me to spot them or some other foolish think like that. The worst is 'Do ya mind if I work in a couple sets with ya'. I hate that.

    So talking to yourself diminishes the potential for these grievances by making people think you a little nuts. I suggest you try it.

  39. #39
    MuscleScience's Avatar
    MuscleScience is offline ~AR-Elite-Hall of Famer~
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    ShredVille
    Posts
    12,630
    Blog Entries
    6
    In between exercises I try to do a tabata style workout. I will do high intensity Cardio from 2-4 minute then hit up my next exercise.

    Between sets I like to get another body part in like calves, abs, shoulders etc. I like to keep my HR up, intensity and focus high and efficiency crisp. I like the gym and all, but I want to be in and out. Plus breaking up my cardio keeps me good about doing it.
    “If you can't explain it to a second grader, you probably don't understand it yourself.” Albert Einstein

    "Juice slow, train smart, it's a long journey."
    BG

    "In a world full of pussies, being a redneck is not a bad thing."
    OB

    Body building is a way of life..........but can not get in the way of your life.
    BG

    No Source Check Please, I don't know of any.


    Depressed? Healthy Way Out!

    Tips For Young Lifters


    MuscleScience Training Log

  40. #40
    Allstar118's Avatar
    Allstar118 is offline New Member
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    16
    I just breathe in and out, focusing on how my body feels. Sometimes walk over to the water fountain to stay hydrated.

    And sometimes I stare at cute guys in the mirror... :P

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •