Boost Your Workout Results: Time Your Rest Wisely

The importance of timing your workouts.

Whenever I mention workout timing, many people immediately think of the duration of their workouts — how long they last.

True, the duration does matter. Spend too much time distracted, talking, or staring into space, and you’re 45-minute weight training session turns into a 2-hour marathon.

Here I want to talk about the rest you’re taking between sets. I won’t get into the science behind how much rest is actually needed for strength, hypertrophy, etc.. Instead, I want to keep it simple and focus on the discipline to stick to a predetermined rest period throughout your workout.

Are you timing your rest periods? Do you even have a preset rest time number? Do you care?

Here are the advantages of keeping track of rest periods:

1. It keeps you accountable. Keeping track of rest periods keeps you obligated to the workout. It cultivates focus, discipline, and eventually determination.
2. It gives you structure. When designing a weight training program where rest periods are predetermined, you have an easier time plugging in certain exercises. You can edit for time much more easily.
3. It’s a great motivator. The two points combined above give your training purpose. With conscious focus and discipline, your motivation will naturally grow stronger.

How to keep track of rest periods:

1. Wear a traditional watch or look at a gym clock on the wall. This way, you’ll have no excuse to watch the time.
2. Don’t use your phone. Smartphones and other devices are just too distracting. That’s pretty much the opposite of what you’re trying to do.
3. Round the time. I don’t keep track down to the second. Instead, I’ll glance at my watch, get a general idea of the seconds number, and then count up from there. If the seconds number is 48, then I’ll round up to the top of the minute and go from there.

You’ll find out very quickly how efficient, or inefficient, your workouts are. In my observation, the average gym-goer will rest entirely too long when it comes to the ego lifts such as while performing the bench press, squats, and any multijoint back movement. If you’re the type who has no idea how long you rest between sets, you may find this task a bit challenging. But do not despair, over time, you’ll adapt and then find new purposeful motivation for training.

How long do you rest between sets?

Happy lifting!