Weight Training
I've been using your programs for about a year, and have seen some results. A…
The question
I've been using your programs for about a year, and have seen some results. A problem I've been having lately is on some exercises with a large # of reps (ex. 3 sets, 20 reps, 15 reps, 10 reps), I can handle the weight, but I cannot do the full # of reps in a set without resting for a minute or so. So, to complete an exercise, instead of doing 20,15,10; I end up doing 10,10,10,5,10. Is this what I should be doing, or should I lower the weight and do the complete sets with no rest? I feel I can easily handle the weight for the 1st 10 or so reps of each set, but then it is impossible to continue without rest. After the rest, I have no problem handling the weight for the remainder of the set.
Dan's answer
Dan Wirth, MA, CSCS
Yes, these workouts can be pretty tough. You will definitely want to decrease the weights so that you can complete the repetitions without stopping. The whole focus of the high rep protocols is to provide for a major conditioning affect to the muscle as well as imparting a large caloric burning effect during the workout. If you don't want to do as many reps than just switch your program to one of the General Fitness or Strength and Power programs. Also, some of the bodybuilding programs will start out with higher reps for some of the exercises but will transition into lower repetitions as you progress through the weeks. Have fun and work hard!
Dan
Dan designed the periodization models the Wave Engine runs.
See how the Wave Engine turns his programming rules into your workouts.