Muscle Building Coach - View Single Post - Rest Interval Drop-Sets

every · January 5th, 2009, 01:39 AM

Atleast that is what I call them. I've been experimenting with some high volume training as of late and just moved into a new area. Long story short, that isn't a lot of weights in this gym, but it's still pretty decent. Another factor is that it's actually pretty busy most of the time as well.

So back to the topic, I've been experimenting with drop-sets for a high volume work-out and I absolutely loved them, that is before I moved. Unfortunately, at this new gym, it's a bit harder to do drop-sets as there is a lot of people waiting for the dumbells at times and weight plates as well (the owner was telling me how he is just trying to get some more money to purchase more equipment including weight plates and more dumbbells etc.). It's sort of a new gym. Anyways, I decided to keep the drop-sets in, but instead of reducing the weights per set, I would reduce the rest interval. For example, if I do 125lbs for bench press and for 12 reps, I would rest 50 seconds, then perform 10 reps, and rest 40 seconds then 8 reps, and rest 30 seconds and so on.

Now this has been absolutely killer. And by killer I mean I get a mad pump. Which is what I guess I was looking for. Now the question I'm getting at is this;

- what type of technique is this actually called? I call them Rest Interval Drop-Sets because they are similar to drop-sets but instead of dropping weight, I reduce the rest interval and a little bit of the reps (ok, maybe they aren't THAT similar to drop-sets). I've looked EVERYWHERE on the net and can't really find anything.

- another question I have relates to the last sentence above ^. Is the reason why I'm not finding anything on this because it's really a BAD idea? I've only been using this technique for like 2 weeks, but I can't really see anything wrong with it. In theory, I'm still progressively overloading the muscle by increasing the weight or volume each week. And I will switch back to HIT soon so overtraining shouldn't really be a problem. I seriously doubt that I'm the first to think of these "Rest Interval Drop Sets". And if I am, it probably means that I'm not picking up the negatives on this technique. Can you guys see anything wrong with this? It sometimes helps to have other people explore your idea and pick at the wrongs and rights.

ANY insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

January 5th, 2009, 01:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
every Silver Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 457 Rep Power: 7 Thanks: 8 Thanked 29 Times in 24 Posts Credits: 15,778	Rest Interval Drop-Sets Atleast that is what I call them. I've been experimenting with some high volume training as of late and just moved into a new area. Long story short, that isn't a lot of weights in this gym, but it's still pretty decent. Another factor is that it's actually pretty busy most of the time as well. So back to the topic, I've been experimenting with drop-sets for a high volume work-out and I absolutely loved them, that is before I moved. Unfortunately, at this new gym, it's a bit harder to do drop-sets as there is a lot of people waiting for the dumbells at times and weight plates as well (the owner was telling me how he is just trying to get some more money to purchase more equipment including weight plates and more dumbbells etc.). It's sort of a new gym. Anyways, I decided to keep the drop-sets in, but instead of reducing the weights per set, I would reduce the rest interval. For example, if I do 125lbs for bench press and for 12 reps, I would rest 50 seconds, then perform 10 reps, and rest 40 seconds then 8 reps, and rest 30 seconds and so on. Now this has been absolutely killer. And by killer I mean I get a mad pump. Which is what I guess I was looking for. Now the question I'm getting at is this; - what type of technique is this actually called? I call them Rest Interval Drop-Sets because they are similar to drop-sets but instead of dropping weight, I reduce the rest interval and a little bit of the reps (ok, maybe they aren't THAT similar to drop-sets). I've looked EVERYWHERE on the net and can't really find anything. - another question I have relates to the last sentence above ^. Is the reason why I'm not finding anything on this because it's really a BAD idea? I've only been using this technique for like 2 weeks, but I can't really see anything wrong with it. In theory, I'm still progressively overloading the muscle by increasing the weight or volume each week. And I will switch back to HIT soon so overtraining shouldn't really be a problem. I seriously doubt that I'm the first to think of these "Rest Interval Drop Sets". And if I am, it probably means that I'm not picking up the negatives on this technique. Can you guys see anything wrong with this? It sometimes helps to have other people explore your idea and pick at the wrongs and rights. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!