Rest between sets for strength training?

[Zendefone]

Everytime when i do strength training, i tend to take long rest times in between and the whole session will be more than an hour. And no, i don't think its the cause of high volume of exercises(i only do 3 exercises, 5 sets inculding warm ups for each exercise), it is the cause of me taking long rest times.

I rest like 3-4 mins for bench, 5-6 mins for squats/deads, 4 mins for chin ups. The reason for me resting this long is because i tend to ''feel'' weak if i take short rest and am scare that i can't be able to complete the set without spotting and i want to be at my best condition for every working sets so that i can lift heavy enough. And i read that you can take long rest for strength training. Is it because that my conditioning/strength endurance is bad that i need so much rest for recovery?

[guru]

If you're lifting near your max weights, then you'll need the amount of rest you've mentioned. Nothing wrong with it.

[Glutenbob]

Why do you take 5-6 minutes of rest for deadlifts? Are you following Stronglifts Beginner 5 x 5? If so then you should only be doing one set of 5 reps of Deadlifts.

[Zendefone]

If you're lifting near your max weights, then you'll need the amount of rest you've mentioned. Nothing wrong with it.

Thanks for the reply.

But whenever i use rest times like this, it will be over an hour, some will even reach 1.5 hours.

Lets see, if i do 3 exercises, bench, pull ups, squats.

Bench press, rest times for warm up sets will be 8 mins(for about 3 sets of warm up sets) + 3 sets of working sets, 3 X 3.5 = 10.5. 10.5+8=18.5

Pull ups, 4 sets, 4X4 = 16 mins

Squats, rest times for warm up sets 10 mins(3 sets of warm up) + 4 sets of working sets, 4X5 = 20mins, 20+10=30

Total= 30+16+18.5 = 1 hrs and 4.5 mins, and including the time between exercises, time doing those exercises, total will be about 1 hr and 20 mins.

[guru]

When I was lifting near max on almost all the exercises on the SL, I was taking around 1 hr. 45 min. in the gym (including changing time), and I was doing 3x5 at that time.

[Zendefone]

Why do you take 5-6 minutes of rest for deadlifts? Are you following Stronglifts Beginner 5 x 5? If so then you should only be doing one set of 5 reps of Deadlifts.

No, not doing stronglifts 5X5.

Btw, for stronglifts 5X5, the volume will be much more than the example i posted above(5 exercises compared to 3), so wouldn't the workout be very long if i use the rest times i use currently?

[Rugger]

Why do you take 5-6 minutes of rest for deadlifts? Are you following Stronglifts Beginner 5 x 5? If so then you should only be doing one set of 5 reps of Deadlifts.

No, not doing stronglifts 5X5.

Btw, for stronglifts 5X5, the volume will be much more than the example i posted above(5 exercises compared to 3), so wouldn't the workout be very long if i use the rest times i use currently?

Yes, full body workouts with sets across do get quite long once you're strong enough to need around 5 minutes between sets.

I'm notorious slow in my workouts, and what I've found helps is to constantly focus on increasing the pace at which you do things. Rest less between warmup (or ramping sets on the deadlift), change weights like you mean it, remember that upper body exercises take less time to recover from than lower body, and use a timer so you can keep track of exactly how much time you're taking.

[sean]

1.5 hours is normal for heavier weights. In general, workouts shouldn't be longer than two hours. If they are, a change of programming should be made.

I'm notorious slow in my workouts, and what I've found helps is to constantly focus on increasing the pace at which you do things. Rest less between warmup (or ramping sets on the deadlift), change weights like you mean it, remember that upper body exercises take less time to recover from than lower body, and use a timer so you can keep track of exactly how much time you're taking.

Rather than using a timer, I make a playlist on my mp3 player - each time a new song starts, it's time for the next set. If you need 4 minutes rest, use a four minute song, etc. If I run out of songs, it's time to hurry up.

[Staples]

Possibly stupid question here (forgive the newb)... but what do you guys actually do during your rest? I've had some people suggest getting up (if benching for example) and slowly walking around.... others suggest "shaking out the knots".... while a couple of people advocate "just stay in position and be ready for the next set" (seems a bit extreme)

[sean]

Do whatever it is that lets your body recover the best. I enjoy sitting. Or, after a 20 rep squat, taking a nap on the ground.

[BerserkerRage]

Possibly stupid question here (forgive the newb)... but what do you guys actually do during your rest? I've had some people suggest getting up (if benching for example) and slowly walking around.... others suggest "shaking out the knots".... while a couple of people advocate "just stay in position and be ready for the next set" (seems a bit extreme)

I take my laptop to the gym,play songs on it,sometimes watch movies.

[ArshNZ]

Have you guys also noticed that sometimes with you are resting 2-3 minutes you forget which set you are about to do.. it happens to me all the time

[Zendefone]

Possibly stupid question here (forgive the newb)... but what do you guys actually do during your rest? I've had some people suggest getting up (if benching for example) and slowly walking around.... others suggest "shaking out the knots".... while a couple of people advocate "just stay in position and be ready for the next set" (seems a bit extreme)

I take my laptop to the gym,play songs on it,sometimes watch movies.

LOL

[killerdude494949]

I usually take 4-5 minutes rest between sets of the same exercise. It allows to lift the most weight. But as someone that cannot focus for 1-2 hours, and a student, I do better with short and dense workouts. So I do alternating sets. After a heavy set of an exercise, it will usually take me at least 4-5 minutes to repeat that effort. So rather than sit and wait all that time, I will alternate my set with the antagonist movement and cut my rest period in half. For example I will do one set of bench press, rest 2 minutes, do a set of rows, rest two minutes, and go back to bench. I also alternate overhead presses and pull ups like this as well. I do not do this with squats and deadlifts. I do this until all my sets are done. It is extremely time efficient while allowing ample rest for my muscles. I love this technique and use it as often as possible.

[Barry101]

My rest times are about 2.5 minutes on squat and deadlift right now. Once I get above bodyweight again on squat I'll go up to three or four. It's the only way I can get the last couple of reps. Bench rest periods are about 2.5. On OHP I give myself at least three minutes or I can't get the last rep on each set. I take about 1.5 to 2 hours including warm ups & shower for my 5X5 workouts. In between I usually get water, watch TV's that are on the walls of the gym or watch the action on the Bball court.