I have been doing a full body routine for the last 2 and a bit months, usually lasting about half an hour. my question is, how important is timing of rest period between sets? A lot of times when im really into it I might only rest 15 seconds between a a lot of sets, then a minute between different muscle groups. Im usually just S*** kicked by the end of the routine. I have read that a lot of people rest 30-60 between sets, but I just get toooo bored. Am I hurting any progress here? I do notice my form starting to slip on the last few reps of the last set, but I think thats pretty normal... any advice appreciated. thanks.

. my question is, how important is timing of rest period between sets? A lot of times when im really into it I might only rest 15 seconds between a a lot of sets, then a minute between different muscle groups. Im usually just S*** kicked by the end of the routine.

Short rest periods of 30-60 seconds provide you a cardio effect that increases calories burned. The only negative thing you mentioned is dropping form. Don't do that. You might need more rest as the last sets come into play. Take a good 3 minute rest after your routine ends, walk around gym a bit.

If you have to do cardio, do it after the workout or none at all.:tucool:

Right on, thanks man. I guess i'll up my rest periods to 30 seconds. Do you use a clock/stopwatch for this? or just go by feel?

Right on, thanks man. I guess i'll up my rest periods to 30 seconds. Do you use a clock/stopwatch for this? or just go by feel?

I count. It might sound boring, but I think it helps concentration. I do 60 seconds rest periods, and 120 between exercises

Are you doing a HIT style routine?

Speaking very generically, less rest is going to result in less weight/reps/total volume being used in your exercises, especially when multiple sets for the same exercise/muscle group are being performed.

This is within the contxext of somebody trying to do 3 even sets across for squats/deadlifts with 30-60 seconds rest is going to need to put less weight on the bar than when they're taking 2-3 minutes rest.

How all of this plays into the effectiveness of your workout is going to depend on the layout of your program, your training goals, and the manner in which you're attempting to create a stimulus to meet those goals.

If you're getting "toooo bored" after 15 seconds, this might be an indication there is not nearly enough intensity going into some of your work sets.

The 'bored' reaction to lifting may indicate that the weights your using aren't challenging enough

Workout you 1 rep max on whatever compound exercises your doing, then take 80% of those 1rm's as your new 'working reps' weight

thanks for the replies guys. I think I may need to re-evaluate the intensity of some of my lifts. I do find myself able to pump out up to 14 reps on the first set of some excersices, like rows, bench. I guess I am a bit afraid to up the weight too much, as I work out alone at home. I am currently cutting, and do see my weight routine as a HIIT workout to an extent. Is this counterproductive? should I focus on nice slow reps and rest to build muscle? I work construction, and I would consider 6 hours of everyday to be low intensity cardio or more, so I don't really do set cardio days. I do go biking once or twice a week though.

anyways, im at 183 now, down from a high of 214. Looking to drop another 10 or so then maintain for summer. should be doable in the next three months I think.

thanks for the replies guys. I think I may need to re-evaluate the intensity of some of my lifts. I do find myself able to pump out up to 14 reps on the first set of some excersices, like rows, bench. I guess I am a bit afraid to up the weight too much, as I work out alone at home. I am currently cutting, and do see my weight routine as a HIIT workout to an extent. Is this counterproductive? should I focus on nice slow reps and rest to build muscle? I work construction, and I would consider 6 hours of everyday to be low intensity cardio or more, so I don't really do set cardio days. I do go biking once or twice a week though.

anyways, im at 183 now, down from a high of 214. Looking to drop another 10 or so then maintain for summer. should be doable in the next three months I think.

Slow, controlled reps make sense, anytime. You should worry about upping your weights except for a few exercises, bench press and squats, come to mind. The proper technique, bench or rack even eliminate those as problems.

Less is often more, when it comes to sets. 14 reps is high for most exercises. Think about cutting sets and increasing weights. a target is 80% of your 1maxrep. Use a calculator (http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html) to determine your 80% weights. HIT (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showpost.php?p=596660&postcount=2) is a good full body program, logical and sensible. :bb: