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Alternating sets of different exercises?

jonny_boy Posts: 3 Joined: 2003/05/19	2003/05/22, 03:56 PM Is it ok to alternate the sets of two or three different exercises? For example, do a set of pushups then a set of curls, then a set of pushups, etc... The only reason I'm curious is that my program seems to take quite a while to do and if the above would not be harmful then it would save a little time.
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/05/22, 04:41 PM When you do 1 set of several different exercises for the same body part, back to back it is called circuit training I think. For example for the back: Do 1 set of 12-15 (whatever is in your program) of lat pull downs, then move to the seated row and do a set of those, then do a set of DB rows, then you would go back and do it again. That is ok to do some of the time, I'm not sure about every time. As far as mixing it up between two or more body parts (like chest and biceps) I will have to defer to one of the experts. Hope that helped a little.
KageanRage Posts: 78 Joined: 2002/11/29	2003/05/23, 01:18 AM mixing it between bodyparts is called supersetting, and can be an excellent way to cut down your training times. I guess the trick is to make sure that the body parts are not too heavily related so that it doesn't cost you intensity by working tired muscles too soon.
kirby00 Posts: 238 Joined: 2002/11/05	2003/05/23, 12:09 PM Hmmm...I thought supersetting was when you did say - kickbacks and then tri-pull downs and called that one set. And circuit training is when you move from one body part to the next w/o rest. Now I'm totally confused! Looks like we needs some vocab help. Anyone else? -Krb
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/05/23, 12:19 PM Supersetting can be doing 2 different exercises for the same muscle back to back without rest, or 2 different exercises for opposing muscles back to back without rest, the key is without rest between the two. A giant set gets into 3 and 4 the same way. Circuit training is simply not doing all one set of a certain exercise, and then moving on, but doing one set of your required sets, then moving to another station and doing one set there, moving to another, etc., till you have done a whole body workout. Then start the whole process over. Rest time between these sets should be kept fairly minimal, but not superset time. In circuit trainng it is a very good endurance type training, while getting a bit stronger also. You will not build alot of muscle with this type training, but stay lean and build muscle endurance. -------------- As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it. Ron
azredhead57 Posts: 1,651 Joined: 2003/04/11	2003/05/23, 01:08 PM Thanks bb1 for clearing that up. Guess we were all a little confused....lol.
Deby Posts: 333 Joined: 2002/08/05	2003/05/23, 01:15 PM bb1 what exactly does supersetting do for you? That is what my trainer has started doing on some of my routinesm like squats and some others -------------- Gramma
INTRUDER Posts: 642 Joined: 2002/06/27	2003/05/23, 05:18 PM When you dont have alot of time to rest, this is a great way to get things done. You can work out 1 muscle group while the other is resting. bb1 clearly comes thru again to give you the scoop on it. -------------- "Get everthing you want--just make a little change now"
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2003/05/23, 07:50 PM Supersets are a good way to "shock" a muscle to intice growth again when things have kind of stagnated. Say for instance, your biceps just are not responding anymore to your certain exercise/diet, etc. You have maxxed out on weight too. Can do no more. SS can be a big advantage in this case. By introducing the muscle to the "shock" of new and varied intensity of doing one set, proceeded immediately followed without rest by another set of a different type for the same muscle, like say standing bb curls followed immediately by dumbbell concentration curls without rest, really sends the muscle a "signal", hey this person means business, now I need to adapt to a new stimulus. Not to mention the incredible pump you will get. So growth spurts back again. These are best used periodically, usually not for all the time. Otherwise, as you may guess, the body will adapt to it also, and then the shock no longer works. Another way is using antagonist muscles, like chest and back for instance. Do a set of benches, then immediately follow with lat pull downs. -------------- As far as genetics go, the skies the limit. You are limited only by your mental perception of it. Ron