How many sets do people do when doing weights?

FishThrower

FishThrower

FishThrower

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When I first started training (when I was 19) I used to do three sets, now I go with my dad and I have been doing 5 sets per exercise for the past two years.

The problem with doing 3 sets is that it normally takes me two sets to actually warm up!

yay or nay?
 
Confused as to what exactly you mean? You (I) don't count the warm up sets in your working sets. 2 warm up sets at the start, and then 3 working sets per exercise will be fine. So you're doing 3 sets if that was the case.

If you're doing 5 sets per exercise all working sets, and for example in a chest workout you're doing Flat bench, Incline Bench, Flies, DB Press then 5 working sets for each will be too many. 2 warm up sets to warm up the chest and then 3-4 sets per exercise is better for most people IMO.
 
you warm up however you like, some do lots, others little, then I personally do 3 sets of 8 reps as heavy as possible, whilst trying to keep the weight the same across the sets.

You don't count warm up sets!
 
Wait...warm up sets? I just stretch for 10-15minutes then go into 3x8 (each time lifting to point of failure)
 
If using a barbell then I tend to do approx one set with just the bar but varying my grip to try and get a full range of motion in there then go onto 3x8 normally with each set having slightly more weight added until the last set which is usually somewhere near failure although because I don't have a partner to go to the gym with I don't work to failure or do assisted sets. I've usually done 10-15 minutes of cardio before I get anywhere near weights though as a basic warmup, not including the walk to the gym. :)
 
Warm up sets are a must as soon as you go in, say your doing chest, and your gonna bench first, you need to do two warmups, then depending on what your going for, reps or weight, do 3-5 sets.
when you move on to another chest/tricep exercise then just get to it.
 
A good warm-up routine is something like a set with 50% of what you're about to lift with your working sets, then another set with 75%. This should be sufficient, others like to do more.
 
Chads said:
Wait...warm up sets? I just stretch for 10-15minutes then go into 3x8 (each time lifting to point of failure)
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Nigh on a sure fire way of injuring yourself. You shouldn't stretch when cold. Stretch during the workout & after. And you do not go to failure each time, this will only serve to slow down your gains. Failure is to be used accordingly. The same with forced reps, negatives, drop sets, static holds, giant sets etc.
 
I'm noticing a lot of people saying they don't warm up. You're heading straight down the path of injury, and trust me it's not a nice place to be. Don't be foolish and learn the hard way, warm up and prevent the preventable (In most cases).
 
I usually do the same as $loth, 4x6 for the compounds (I'm currently doing 3x3 but will go back to 4x6 in a few weeks) and 3x8 for the isolation exercises.

I do three sets of warm ups for each compound but calf raises are the only isolation exercise I warm up before hitting my working sets.
 
Yeah warming up is VERY important. I spend at least 10 mins doing warmups exercises before I lift anything. I'm always out of breath and sweating by the end of my warmup... and I'm very warm! :p :D
 
S7yl3s said:
Nigh on a sure fire way of injuring yourself. You shouldn't stretch when cold. Stretch during the workout & after. And you do not go to failure each time, this will only serve to slow down your gains. Failure is to be used accordingly. The same with forced reps, negatives, drop sets, static holds, giant sets etc.
Click to expand...

A curious idea... I don't know if you do anything active, but the only time when my workouts are really going to pay off are when I am climbing. The situations that you will get into when climbing will never be guarunteed, and it is quite possible that I will have to hang onto something near to the point of failure.

So the question is, should I specifically train to failure in the gym, because I may face it in the world?
 
Yes, you could say I do 'something active'. The answer would be yes you should train to failure but not all the time. If you use it correctly, which would be sparingly then you will find your gains increase :)

What you're talking about would not be the strength to hold on, because you would have that from being able to climb up there anyway, but stamina to keep the hold on. Decent forearms and such. Static holds are very good for this. Between 10-25 seconds for maximum strength gains but I believe you could up the time on this to train yourself more for the endurance side of this.
 
Chads said:
Can you explain what a "warm-up" set means, in this instance.
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I start with just the bar itself, like to get used to the tools, 12 reps with this, to stretch, then go to.. say 40% what I plan on doing, pretty much just go untill your warm, and theres some blood in your muscles.
 
cleanbluesky said:
So the question is, should I specifically train to failure in the gym, because I may face it in the world?
Click to expand...

train to failure on certain things only, never early on in a session.
I occasionly do this on guillotine bench press, if its the last chest exercise, and maybe on tricep pushdowns, don't ever do them both though.
pretty good way of forcing blood in
 
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