Rest is a crucial part of strength training.
So what do you actuallydoduring that time?
Lets talk about your options, both in terms of training effectiveness and gym etiquette.
Dont stretch, dont work a different muscle; just allow your body to recover.
The rest between sets is the perfect time to do these little maintenance tasks.
Things like:
Change the weights to what youll need for your next set.
Write down what you just lifted in yournotebookorlifting app.
If youtook a video, watch it to give yourself feedback for the next set.
Have a drink of water and, if needed, asnack.
Clean up after yourself!
Rack any plates and dumbbells you arent using.
Lets say you have a few sets of squats left, but after that youll do some overhead press.
Or maybe its the other way around, and youre pressing, but next youll do squats.
Walk (or dance)
When the weights are routine, I sit and chill.
When they get heavy, I need to pace.
Or if youre more of a cheerful, high-energy person, maybe you just want to dance.
Youre probably doing it anyway.
The risk youre taking here is that youll get distracted and resttoolong.
Dont take longer rests than you need, if youre holding up equipment.
For your own sake, set a timer when you do anything that might distract you between sets.
Another tip: Be mindful aboutwhatyoure doing on your phone.
Just because youcando one exercise while resting for another, doesnt mean youshould.
Youll fatigue yourself more than you realize, and you wont do your best on those squats.
But supersets can be great if youre willing to sacrifice a little weight for a lot of time.
