What to do between sets?

• ZDaniel
  
  Posts: 9
  
  
  Nov 06, 2014 9:35 PM GMT

  I'm on a simple to follow 5x5 program that is working for me in strength gains. It includes 90 seconds to three minutes of rest between sets. I usually only need 90 seconds but sometimes it feels like forever. I don't like going on my phone too much during the workout because I want to stay focused so sometimes I watch other people's form to see what they might be doing well or wrong. But then that starts to seem creepy. What do you all do between sets if you are sticking to one lift at a time and don't want to go on your phone much? Thanks!

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• Kovyn
  
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  Nov 06, 2014 9:43 PM GMT

  Dynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

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• muscleboundfe...
  
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  Nov 06, 2014 10:03 PM GMT

  I stretch the part of the body I'm not working. I'll stretch legs when I'm doing back/biceps or Chest/triceps. I stretch fore arms and neck on my last exercise on chest/triceps back/biceps day.

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• Destinharbor
  
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  Nov 06, 2014 11:15 PM GMT

  Just watch the guys. No one in a gym minds being watched. I also will pace a bit just to keep to blood flow going.

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• Bowyn_Aerrow
  
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  Nov 07, 2014 12:08 AM GMT

  Move about, keep the blood flowing.
  
  
  People who keep their heart rate up, and stay warm between sets tend to get a rep or two more out, plus the blood flowing through the freshly worked muscle is flushing the muscle out of the shredded cells and released toxins which are the primary cause for fatigue of the muscle and later soreness.
  
  https://backyardbrains.com/experiments/fatigue explains the chemical processes taking place during fatigue.
  
  That 90 seconds to three may not seem like much of a rest to lead to cooling and slowing of the heart rate, but is is sufficient.
  
  

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• HndsmKansan
  
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  Nov 07, 2014 3:21 AM GMT

  I go get a drink of water or do a walk up or down the aisle, weigh myself once or even check out the look in the mirror. I try NOT to get into conversations in the middle of a set and keep my body focused on achieving the task at hand in good form.

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  Nov 07, 2014 6:41 AM GMT

  That's when I usually look at RealJock.
  Unless the phone rings, or something in the lab needs attention.

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  Nov 07, 2014 3:12 PM GMT

  I walk for just a little bit and come back to the machine. I started working out in the autumn of 1977 when all my gym had was two Universals and there were a lot of people who wanted to use them. After a set we had to get back in the line if we wanted to use the position again. So I got accustomed to a brief walk between sets. It gives other people a chance to work in and my gym isn't too crowded so I can still move through my work out expeditiously.
  

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  Nov 07, 2014 4:57 PM GMT

  I read an essay on Plato over my last few gym sessions. It does nothing to keep me on track but it's good for the mind ;-P

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• muscleboundfe...
  
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  Nov 07, 2014 5:47 PM GMT

  5100s saidI walk for just a little bit and come back to the machine. I started working out in the autumn of 1977 when all my gym had was two Universals and there were a lot of people who wanted to use them. After a set we had to get back in the line if we wanted to use the position again. So I got accustomed to a brief walk between sets. It gives other people a chance to work in and my gym isn't too crowded so I can still move through my work out expeditiously.
  

  
  
  wow at getting in line after a set. That shows dedication. I feel super impatient now because I'm building my home gym partially because I hate waiting.

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  Nov 07, 2014 7:37 PM GMT

  The best water polo coaches taught us not to let over a minute go by between sets, to keep the heart rate up. I still believe in - and follow - that advice.
  
  But what I do between sets (in that limited amount of time) is just stretch a bit, or swallow some water.

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• davfit
  
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  Nov 07, 2014 11:25 PM GMT

  how about 30 sec ...leave phone at home

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  Nov 08, 2014 1:56 PM GMT

  Kovyn saidDynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

  
  
  This, and the keyword is dynamic, don't do static stretches.

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  Nov 08, 2014 1:57 PM GMT

  davfit saidhow about 30 sec ...leave phone at home

  
  
  You didn't read the OP, did you?

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  Nov 08, 2014 3:13 PM GMT

  Take a drink from my water bottle, and just sit and rest. No shame in resting.

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  Nov 08, 2014 11:28 PM GMT

  1) Record in my little notebook how many reps I did.
  2) Take a sip from my water bottle.
  3) Read another page in an issue of "Runners'
  World" that I carry around with me for inspiration and amusement.
  4)Time for the next set....
  
  Of course I go running far more frequently than I lift weights at the gym.

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  Nov 09, 2014 5:34 AM GMT

  Maybe find a workout buddy that's doing the same 5x5 routine? Kinda helps pass the time better while you guys take turns lifting/resting.

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  Nov 09, 2014 8:15 AM GMT

  klobasnik said

  Kovyn saidDynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

  This, and the keyword is dynamic, don't do static stretches.

  
  What's wrong with static stretches?

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  Nov 09, 2014 3:19 PM GMT

  Lumpyoatmeal said

  klobasnik said

  Kovyn saidDynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

  This, and the keyword is dynamic, don't do static stretches.

  
  What's wrong with static stretches?

  
  
  They make your muscles relaxed and thus more keen to injuries. Static stretches are good at the end of the whole training. Dynamic stretches prepare your muscles for exercises and thus reduce the chance of injury. (Or that's what my physiotherapist always tells me.)

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• muscleboundfe...
  
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  Nov 09, 2014 6:38 PM GMT

  klobasnik said

  Lumpyoatmeal said

  klobasnik said

  Kovyn saidDynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

  This, and the keyword is dynamic, don't do static stretches.

  
  What's wrong with static stretches?

  
  
  They make your muscles relaxed and thus more keen to injuries. Static stretches are good at the end of the whole training. Dynamic stretches prepare your muscles for exercises and thus reduce the chance of injury. (Or that's what my physiotherapist always tells me.)

  
  
  That is why I only stretch muscle I'm not working.

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  Nov 09, 2014 7:51 PM GMT

  klobasnik said

  Lumpyoatmeal said

  klobasnik said

  Kovyn saidDynamic stretches, record my progress in my phone, browse my playlist for the next pumpup song, flex in the mirror to encourage blood flow, judge others on their weight and form, focus hard a few seconds before the next lift.

  This, and the keyword is dynamic, don't do static stretches.

  What's wrong with static stretches?

  They make your muscles relaxed and thus more keen to injuries. Static stretches are good at the end of the whole training. Dynamic stretches prepare your muscles for exercises and thus reduce the chance of injury. (Or that's what my physiotherapist always tells me.)

  
  Thanks, that definitely sounds plausible. In the running community it used to be thought that it was best to do static stretches before running. Now there is a school of thought that that is more likely to lead to injuries and that it's better to do static stretches at the end of a run. Prior to the run do something to warm up like walking; I do stationary bicycling.

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• ZDaniel
  
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  Nov 15, 2014 4:09 PM GMT

  thanks all!

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  Nov 15, 2014 8:31 PM GMT

  watch guys, fuck with music playlist, browse internet, chat with people. i'm sure i rest too long but it's my time to burn

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  Nov 15, 2014 9:52 PM GMT

  Give dirty looks to people hogging equipment you want to use

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  Nov 19, 2014 3:34 AM GMT

  Ohno saidGive dirty looks to people hogging equipment you want to use

  
  
  This
  
  and
  
  i usully do two exercises at same time so rest is walking to next station area

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