The classic advice for maximizing muscle growth (i.e., hypertrophy) is to rest one minute between sets of 8 to 12 reps. But recent research suggests that three minutes might be the true sweet spot. That's what scientists found in a small study published recently in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
The 6-12-25 Protocol is a powerhouse training protocol that harnesses the intensity of giant sets to pack high-volume work into a short period. By targeting one muscle group or body part per set, this method takes you through three different exercises with minimal rest, hitting 6, 12, and 25 reps in quick succession.
Yes, performing 8-10 reps for 4 sets is generally considered effective for hypertrophy (muscle growth). This rep range is typically associated with moderate to heavy weights, which can stimulate muscle fibers effectively. Here are a few points to consider:
2 minutes is a good general guideline for resting specific muscles between sets. However if you want to be more accurate you can experiment over a period of time and find out what works for you. Here's an example result of too little rest:
The rule that both NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend is the “2-for-2 rule.” After a few workout sessions, you can increase the weight for a certain exercise once you can perform two more repetitions beyond your repetition goal for the last set for two weeks in a row.
5×5 means you do five sets of five reps with the same weight. These are “straight sets” or “sets across”. On the Squat, Bench Press, Overhead Press and Barbell Row you do 5×5. Say you Squat 5×5 225lb (total weight including the bar, because you lift it).
Start Slow
One of the most important golden rules of strength training is to start slow. If you're new to strength training, don't jump in too quickly. It's important to start with a program that is appropriate for your fitness level and allow for proper rest and recovery. This will help you avoid injury and burnout.
A general and easy rule to follow is that your rest periods should be long enough that you're able to complete your next set of reps with good form. For most people, this is between 30 seconds and five minutes, and what is best for you largely comes down to how you're training.
A moderate repetition scheme with moderate loads (from 8 to 12 repetitions per set with 60% to 80% of 1RM) optimizes hypertrophic gains. A high repetition scheme with light loads (15+ repetitions per set with loads below 60% of 1RM) optimizes local muscular endurance improvements.
The classic advice for maximizing muscle growth (i.e., hypertrophy) is to rest one minute between sets of 8 to 12 reps. But recent research suggests that three minutes might be the true sweet spot. That's what scientists found in a small study published recently in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
WHAT IS HYPERTROPHY? Muscle hypertrophy (known simply as hypertrophy) is an increase in the size of a muscle, or its cross- sectional area attributed to an increase in the size and/ or number of myofibrils (actin and myosin) within a given muscle fiber.
Resistance training for muscle gain
Resistance training promotes muscle growth. Examples of resistance training include the use of free weights, weight machines, your own body weight or resistance bands. Suggestions include: Train just two or three times per week to give your muscles time to recover.
Getting Close to Failure - Having fewer 'reps in reserve' for 1-3 sets can lead to a greater muscle pump. This means pushing your muscles into the overtime region to complete the set. High Volume - You need to perform at least 10 reps of an exercise across multiple sets.
Whatever rep you finish on, your goal now is to hit 250% (or two and a half times) that number, as quickly as possible. For instance - if you manage 10 reps, keep taking short breaks of 15-20 seconds, performing set after set, even if they're doubles or singles, until you hit 25 total reps.
Somewhere between 3-6 sets of 7-12 reps is a good rule of thumb. However, there are a number of different approaches to hypertrophy training that will diverge from this. For example, performing 8 sets of 3 reps rather than 3 sets of 8 reps, with less rest time, has been shown to be an effective technique.
If your goal is to build muscle, workouts with reps as low as five and as high as 30 will do the job. We suggest you stick to five to seven reps per set for heavier, compound movement and between eight and 12 reps per set for smaller muscles and single-joint exercises.
When training to build strength without bulking up, the focus should be on high-intensity, low-volume workouts that include longer rest periods and compound movements. Aim to train 3-4 times per week, with each session lasting between 60 and 70 minutes.
This holds that regardless of whether you're trying to build muscle, strength, power, or endurance, performing three sets of 10 reps per exercise is a good place to start. The scheme mostly works, especially if you're just starting out with strength training—because everything works in the beginning.
The 5/3/1 Method Training Cycle
Week one: For each workout, perform three sets of five reps (three x five) of one lifting exercise. So for example, on Monday, do three x five of bench presses, Wednesday three x five of squats, Friday three x five of shoulder presses, and Saturday three x five of deadlifts.
The golden rule of lifting, specifically manual lifting, is to always bend your knees when picking something up from the ground. Never go down on one knee unless necessary, or twist your body in the process.
Understanding the 3 3 3 Approach
Among these, the 3 3 3 workout has carved a niche for itself with its straightforward, yet surprisingly effective strategy. The concept revolves around performing sets of three exercises, repeated three times, for a total of nine micro-sets.
The one-repetition maximum test, also called a one-rep max or 1RM, is used to find out the heaviest weight you can lift just once (but not twice).