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Two Novice Questions (Sets vs Circuits)

VincentNC Posts: 2 Joined: 2004/08/27	2004/08/31, 02:55 PM Hi...I'm just starting out and have what are two elemental questions for you folks who have been at this alot longer than me! 1) Am I supposed to do the same exercise repeatedly for 4 different reps (i.e. 20, 15, 12 & 10) before moving onto the next exercise? Or...am I do to the 1st exercise at 20 reps, then the 2nd exercise at it's prescribed rep count, etc? 2) My 2nd day of workouts is calling for a duplicate, identical exercise (Two Hand Cable Curls) -- is this a software glitch? Or perhaps is this the intention (though it seems unlikely to me)? Thanks to all that can help! Vincent
DanielJLove Posts: 320 Joined: 2004/03/30	2004/08/31, 03:59 PM Typically on these workouts you do all of the sets of one exercise before moving on to the next one. The idea being that you maximize the recruitment and fatigue of the muscle fibers being used for that exercise to promote strength and growth. Rest periods between sets are important and should be between 90 secs and 3-5 minutes depending on the number of reps you are doing and your goal. Another option is supersetting. This is taking two or three exercises and working them one set after another (I believe with rest periods) to hit a muscle from several angles at the same time. (more of an advanced technique). Circuit training, is closer to an aerobic exercise. In that concept you pick 6-10 exercises and do them one after another with no or minimum rest in between. This allows you to continue to work the body and increase the heart rate by working different muscles in succession. As for the second question, I haven't got a clue. Daniel