Rest Periods! - Lesson 7
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7. Rest Periods
The duration between each set of the same exercise is known as a ‘rest period’. In cases where you perform multiple exercise variations for the same muscle group, the time between each exercise, is also referred to as a ‘rest period’.
Your rest periods, once again, will be largely dependent on your training goal and physical readiness level. According to the designated rep range and load, there will be a direct correlation between those factors and your rest period. The heavier the weight, the longer the rest period; the lighter the weight the shorter the rest period.
More specifically, if you are untrained or deconditioned, you will need to take longer rest periods regardless of the specified load. It’s recommended that the rest period be doubled for the untrained or deconditioned. The table below is an example of how rest periods should be assigned for those who are more physically prepared. As you progress and become adapted to the designated load and rest periods, you can increase the load while simultaneously decreasing rest periods. Remember, form and the proper function of the exercise should not be compromised, therefore, one should always be mindful that sufficient rest time is given.
*To create the correct goal-specific resistance training stress, you must allow sufficient rest between sets and exercise so that you can lift the training load for the targeted number of repetitions. Note that the actual %1RM or RM load for each exercise is the basis for the rest period lengths, more so than the overall training goal. For example, assistance exercises that are performed within a muscular strength training program are not assigned loads heavier than an 8RM load, so the rest periods will be shorter than the guidelines for muscular strength (i.e., 30-90 seconds because an 8RM load is associated with a hypertrophy training program).
Adapted from Berger 1972; Fleck and Kraemer 1997; Kreamer, Noble, Clark, and Culver 1987; Larson and Potteiger 1997; Lombardi 1989; Spassov 1989; Stone and O’Bryant 1987; Weiss 1991; and Wescott 1982.