How Long Should You Rest Between Sets? ⏱️

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💡 Rest For Strength Gains

One element to pay attention to in your workouts is the rest period between sets. It’s certainly not the most glamorous detail, but believe me, it's still important.

So, you're at the gym, giving it all you've got, and your muscles are feeling the heat. That little breather between sets is there to make sure you're not just throwing weights around until you're tired, but that you're lifting with good form and targeting the right muscles.

We're all here to get stronger and build lean muscle, right?

If you're looking for a simple guideline, here it is: “Take a 2-minute rest between sets”. But, this isn't set in stone. Sometimes, you might need a bit more, and other times, a bit less.

Imagine this: You've just crushed a set of pull-ups, and after your two-minute break, you're ready for the next set. But wait! Your forearms are still feeling the love.

In this situation, your forearms are the limiting factor. If you start your next set now, that fatigue is going put the brakes on way before you back and arms do. Sure, it'll feel tough, but the result is a less effective exercise.

So in this case, a 2-minute break might not be enough...give yourself a bit more time.

This extra rest will make sure all the muscles involved in the exercise have had a good break and are ready to rock. I usually find that big, complex exercises like deadlifts, barbell squats, bench press, and bent over rows work better with longer rests.

But, on the flip side if after 60 seconds, you're feeling ready to go again, that's great! Jump back in!

Remember, strength training isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. The two-minute rule is a good starting point, but you have to pay attention to your body and be ready to adapt. If a certain muscle group is still feeling the burn, maybe give it a bit more rest. But if you're ready to go after 60 seconds, then it's all systems go.

Happy lifting 🚀

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P.S. If you enjoyed this week's Thursday Three, please share it with a friend.

Thanks,

Jamie