Just musing the importance of continuous, sequential reps. I know re-setting and taking three or four seconds between reps on (e.g.) squats is common practice and there is some intra rep recovery but does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? Thoughts?
The pausing for three or four breaths, and then continuing for 3-5 raps and repeating the process two or three times is called myo reps.
I believe the idea is to get close to failure, but not quite and then extend the number of repetitions near failure. I use them quite a bit lately.
Personally, I like to do my reps continuously until I can’t move the weight up anymore. I think of it like I’m trying to chase failure, not run away from it. I have to imagine there is some kind of increased fatigue aspect that comes with pausing for more reps. I’ve done it with programs that have Widowmaker squats for instance and you are just whacked afterwards. I like this type of training but I use it more sparingly throughout the year as the former is a bit more sustainable Day in and day out. Don’t get me wrong, doing reps nonstop until you can’t move it is difficult and it hurts, you’re not allowing that lactic acid or burn To dissipate at any point. In addition, you can be assured that doing continuous reps to failure that you’re likely getting all the muscle growth benefits a set can offer without as crazy of a fatigue cost.
This isn’t to be confused with a cluster set approach like a rest pause set or muscle round where you have an abbreviated rest period where you’re not holding the weight whatsoever between mini-sets
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