hey someguy .. question about # of sets - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Chelle1977 · 09-19-2002, 02:27 PM

I've seen you post multiple times suggesting 4 sets (plus a warm up and cool down). Why so high?

I've seen research that suggests 1 set is enough, if you go to failure. Dr. Ellington Darden's reccomendation in the BowFlex manual is 1 set. Most workouts I've seen in the body mags include 2 to 3 sets. I don't understand the high number of sets?

I know you said you only work out for an hour, but I don't see how you get done that quickly. I did an hour Tuesday night doing upper body and I only did 3 sets of 10. And I was doing supersets so basically no rest at all (just enough to reconfigure the BowFlex, my position, or the weight).

ABOMB · 09-19-2002, 02:48 PM

When I do upper body I do 10 different exercises with 3 sets each. I get done at exactly an hour. When I do abdominals I do 4 different exercises with 6 sets each b/c you can work your abs alot more. 1 set to failure is not a good idea, your suppose to work strength and endurance all in the same work out to get better results and to do that you need more sets. After the 3rd set you get very small gains so I dont do 4 sets or above for arms.

H8CC · 09-19-2002, 04:06 PM

No problem with low sets. HST training is a good example - it uses only like a set per body part.
run a googl search for HST training

FitForLife2002 · 09-20-2002, 06:22 AM

The number of sets you do depends on what your training goals are. Remember, there is no definite way to workout, in terms of exercises and sets. Let your goals be your guide.

Chelle1977 · 09-20-2002, 07:15 AM

thank you all for your feedback, I have actually been lifting for several years and prefer to do 3 sets of about 10 reps with a few variations. I was just curious why someguy suggested what he does? I am assuming there are some studies that he's read or something and I wanted to learn more.