Yesterday I got interrupted right smack dab in the middle of a lifting work out, i was 1/2 through my 6x6, almost finished the 4th set.

Well, I never got the chance to finish it yesterday, but thought I should ask what the proper procedure would have been


1) Do you just do the last 2 sets? Seems like it wouldn't accomplish much.

2) If I didn't finish the work out yesterday, can I do another today? I really want to.


Thanks

I'm no expert, but what I would have done is just written it off as an incomplete workout and leave it at that.

Opinions will vary, I am sure. I don't think there is really a "right or wrong" on this.

Interrupted by what, and when where you planning to finish the two sets?

Your body doesn't know that you are trying to go for a certain number of sets and reps. It's not like your muscle won't be trying to adapt to the exercise you have done just because you didn't do all you intended to. Given that you are usually strict about your workouts, missing half of your workout once in a month won't hurt your performance or muscle gains. If anything, it might be beneficial to do less every now and then.

Doing another workout for the same muscles the day after won't be good if you ask me.

Interrupted by what, and when where you planning to finish the two sets?

Your body doesn't know that you are trying to go for a certain number of sets and reps. It's not like your muscle won't be trying to adapt to the exercise you have done just because you didn't do all you intended to. Given that you are usually strict about your workouts, missing half of your workout once in a month won't hurt your performance or muscle gains. If anything, it might be beneficial to do less every now and then.

Doing another workout for the same muscles the day after won't be good if you ask me.

sounds good to me. I would do some cardio if you want to workout.

What was it about that particular workout that you were trying to accomplish time wise? From what you've given us, I'm assuming that you were looking to achieve a given intensity level for your 6 x 6.
Let's say that you're typically resting 60 seconds between sets. This means that your ATP levels are replenished from 85-90% for your next set, so you're training that muscle with about 15% less fuel than the previous set. (20-30 sec / 50%, 40 sec / 75%, 60 sec / 85-90%, 3 min / 100%) So...if you come back to finish those sets later, your muscles will be completely refueled. Tired...but refueled.
Now if you've been training for a while, you're probably trying to keep your routine down to about 45-60 mins, which is admirable, but I wouldn't use that as the end all stop watch for my workout. Depending on what exercise you were performing...personally, I might knock out the remaining sets. But...I'd probably only do so for something like biceps, triceps, lateral raises, chins, pull-ups, dips, and other isolating movements. I wouldn't go back and finish squats, or dead lifts, as your body has already returned to it's resting state(or has begun too). Heavy compound movements are much more taxing on the Central Nervous System than isolating movements. In a partially fatigued state, the needed muscle synergies may not be able to be recruited properly, and attempting to return to heavy compound movements in this state could lead to possible injury. I hope that didn't come out as contridictory. :confused:
You know your body best, and understand your recovery time better than we do. Also...going back to it later, is based on your having the equipment at your fingertips at home...not traveling back to the gym.
If you feel you've still got those sets in you...go for it. But if you don't get them in, it's not going to be the end of the world

Well, shortly after you finish your workout, your body is in recovery mode -- and rebuilding those damaged muscles. Why go back in the gym and break them down again? When my workouts are interrupted or shortened, I just write it off, allow myself to recover, and then hit it hard next time.