Circuits vs. sets

"RichD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I lift twice a week, usually do 5 or 6 exercises,
not always the same.

I prefer to do a circuit, then repeat, as it gives
the muscles a chance to recover. However, I notice
that doing multiple sets of the same lift is far
more popular.

Is there any research to indicate that one method
is superior over the other?

Also, I do each set till failure, which is usually
8 to 12 reps. Is it correct to go to failure,
or should one quit before that point?

Thanks,

--
Rich

Going to failure risks injury and the conventional wisdom these days is it
is not a good idea. Doing a circuit suggests that you are hitting all of
your muscles in the same workout - not that there is anything wrong with
that other than it makes for a very long workout. Also you are obviously
using machines (not that there is anything wrong with that) - your main
exercises - squats and deadlifts are better done with free weights. Getting
your routine right is a science and you need to define your goals - if you
are going for hypertrophy you are on the wrong track at the moment and you
need to research 'split routines' and find a routine that works for you.

David said:

"RichD" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I lift twice a week, usually do 5 or 6 exercises,
not always the same.

I prefer to do a circuit, then repeat, as it gives
the muscles a chance to recover. However, I notice
that doing multiple sets of the same lift is far
more popular.

Is there any research to indicate that one method
is superior over the other?

Also, I do each set till failure, which is usually
8 to 12 reps. Is it correct to go to failure,
or should one quit before that point?

Going to failure risks injury and the conventional wisdom these days
is it is not a good idea. Doing a circuit suggests that you are
hitting all of your muscles in the same workout - not that there is
anything wrong with that other than it makes for a very long
workout.

Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery time
to do another exercise.

On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of each
and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once in a
while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a longer
workout (and that's my kind of goal), going to failure is not a good
strategy. So I'd do a small number of pullups, small number of dips,
then repeat, for maybe 30 min.

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"RichD" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I lift twice a week, usually do 5 or 6 exercises,
not always the same.

I prefer to do a circuit, then repeat, as it gives
the muscles a chance to recover. However, I notice
that doing multiple sets of the same lift is far
more popular.

Is there any research to indicate that one method
is superior over the other?

Also, I do each set till failure, which is usually
8 to 12 reps. Is it correct to go to failure,
or should one quit before that point?

Going to failure risks injury and the conventional wisdom these days
is it is not a good idea. Doing a circuit suggests that you are
hitting all of your muscles in the same workout - not that there is
anything wrong with that other than it makes for a very long
workout.

Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery time
to do another exercise.

On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of each
and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once in a
while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a longer
workout (and that's my kind of goal), going to failure is not a good
strategy. So I'd do a small number of pullups, small number of dips,
then repeat, for maybe 30 min.

Depends on your goals. What are they?

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery time
to do another exercise.

On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.

Depends on your goals. What are they?

But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
"that's my kind of goal".

DZ

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery time
to do another exercise.

On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.

Depends on your goals. What are they?

But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
"that's my kind of goal".

DZ

that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely you
want that to affect your body in some way?

David said:

DZ said:

David said:

"DZ" wrote
> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery time
> to do another exercise.
>
> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.

Depends on your goals. What are they?

But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
"that's my kind of goal".

that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely you
want that to affect your body in some way?

When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
those it's a good way to go.

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

DZ said:

David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> "DZ" wrote
>> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery

time

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> to do another exercise.
>>
>> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
>> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
>> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
>> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
>> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
>> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
>> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.
>
> Depends on your goals. What are they?

But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
"that's my kind of goal".

that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely you
want that to affect your body in some way?

When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
those it's a good way to go.

Still not quite sure what you hope to achieve but if it works for you . . .
..(I guess that's what makes us individuals)

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

DZ said:

David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> "DZ" wrote
>> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery

time

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> to do another exercise.
>>
>> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
>> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
>> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
>> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
>> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
>> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
>> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.
>
> Depends on your goals. What are they?

But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
"that's my kind of goal".

that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely you
want that to affect your body in some way?

When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
those it's a good way to go.

F'rinstance to increase strength, why not do fewer reps but do them
weighted?

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

David said:

DZ wrote:
> David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > "DZ" wrote
> >> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery
> >> time to do another exercise.
> >>
> >> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
> >> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
> >> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
> >> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
> >> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
> >> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
> >> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.
> >
> > Depends on your goals. What are they?
>
> But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
> "that's my kind of goal".

that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely you
want that to affect your body in some way?

When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
those it's a good way to go.

F'rinstance to increase strength, why not do fewer reps but do them
weighted?

I have a very handy 10lb weightholder on which I put 25lb plates to do
weighted dips and pullups, usually in the range 110-160lb. It's true
that strength goes up from that :-)

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> DZ wrote:
>> David <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> > "DZ" wrote
>> >> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery
>> >> time to do another exercise.
>> >>
>> >> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
>> >> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
>> >> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every

once

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> >> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> >> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
>> >> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
>> >> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.
>> >
>> > Depends on your goals. What are they?
>>
>> But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
>> "that's my kind of goal".
>
> that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> want that to affect your body in some way?

When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
those it's a good way to go.

F'rinstance to increase strength, why not do fewer reps but do them
weighted?

I have a very handy 10lb weightholder on which I put 25lb plates to do
weighted dips and pullups, usually in the range 110-160lb. It's true
that strength goes up from that :-)

Still, not too many can do 40 pullups in a set - that's pretty good

David said:

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"DZ" wrote
> David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> > DZ wrote:
> >> David <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >> > "DZ" wrote
> >> >> Circuit type of training saves my time, since I can use recovery
> >> >> time to do another exercise.
> >> >>
> >> >> On going to failure - consider a mini-circuit, e.g. body weight
> >> >> pullups plus dips. If my workouts were of the kind "do a set of
> >> >> each and leave the gym", then I'd probably go to failure every once
> >> >> in a while. But for a goal of putting as many pullups and dips in a
> >> >> longer workout as possible (and that's my kind of goal), going to
> >> >> failure is not a good strategy. So I'd do a small number of
> >> >> pullups, small number of dips, then repeat, for maybe 30 min.
> >> >
> >> > Depends on your goals. What are they?
> >>
> >> But I just said what they are... see words immediately preceding
> >> "that's my kind of goal".
> >
> > that's your goal? To do as many of two exercises as possible? Surely
> > you want that to affect your body in some way?
>
> When I do that kind of workout, yes the goal is to pack lots of
> pullups and dips in a single workout. It makes me feel good and I
> believe that kind of training improves insulin sensitivity - so it's a
> preventive measure. Also, I consciously make sure not to set any
> serious goals outside a given workout. IMO to learn how to stick to
> single workout oriented goals is the most reliable way to ensure
> you'll continue exercising into the old age. But I trained to do 40
> pullups in a set that way (I don't know how many dips but it's
> certainly many more than that) - so if someone wants to do lots of
> those it's a good way to go.

F'rinstance to increase strength, why not do fewer reps but do them
weighted?

I have a very handy 10lb weightholder on which I put 25lb plates to do
weighted dips and pullups, usually in the range 110-160lb. It's true
that strength goes up from that :-)

Still, not too many can do 40 pullups in a set - that's pretty good

The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder like
this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.

Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs while
resting :-)

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

[ ]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Still, not too many can do 40 pullups in a set - that's pretty good

The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder like
this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.

Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs while
resting :-)

I see exactly - how long have you been doing this?

David said:

Quoted message said:

The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder like
this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.

Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs while
resting :-)

I see exactly - how long have you been doing this?

I trained to do muscle-ups for reps not so long ago. Now sometimes I'd
do lots of sets of 6-8 muscle-ups for the whole hour. But I started
regular resistance training before I had facial hair. Probably even
the way my bones formed was affected by that.

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

Quoted message said:

The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder like
this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.

Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs while
resting :-)

I see exactly - how long have you been doing this?

I trained to do muscle-ups for reps not so long ago. Now sometimes I'd
do lots of sets of 6-8 muscle-ups for the whole hour. But I started
regular resistance training before I had facial hair. Probably even
the way my bones formed was affected by that.

Why not do push ups as well? You would hit your pecs better

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

David said:

> The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
> multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
> combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
> either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder like
> this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
> constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
> pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.
>
> Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs while
> resting :-)

I see exactly - how long have you been doing this?

I trained to do muscle-ups for reps not so long ago. Now sometimes I'd
do lots of sets of 6-8 muscle-ups for the whole hour. But I started
regular resistance training before I had facial hair. Probably even
the way my bones formed was affected by that.

Why not do push ups as well? You would hit your pecs better

I bench press instead - I used dips-pullups combination as an
example. I don't specialize in that.

"DZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David said:

"DZ" wrote

Quoted message said:

David <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> The point I was making is that you can achieve greater load with
>> multiple sets, each performed away from failure, using dips-pullups
>> combination as an example. Of course that combination can be done
>> either bodyweight or weighted (I use dip belt with weight holder

like

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> this - http://newyorkbarbells.tv/1100.html). Due to logistic
>> constraints, in a single session I do one of the exercises in this
>> pair weighted, and the other one bodyweight.
>>
>> Then there are muscle-ups that combine the two. Then I'd do legs

while

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> resting :-)
>
> I see exactly - how long have you been doing this?

I trained to do muscle-ups for reps not so long ago. Now sometimes I'd
do lots of sets of 6-8 muscle-ups for the whole hour. But I started
regular resistance training before I had facial hair. Probably even
the way my bones formed was affected by that.

Why not do push ups as well? You would hit your pecs better

I bench press instead - I used dips-pullups combination as an
example. I don't specialize in that.

OK, I now have the idea - sorry I came into the thread half way and didn't
have the picture