It’s A Numbers Game
If you do 10 to 15 reps and find that you do not feel tired and are in need of a rest then you are not using a heavy enough weight or a high enough level of resistance. Although there may be pressure to push yourself until your breaking point, it is actually necessary to rest between sets in order to allow your muscles to fully gain the benefits of exercising. It is also crucial to switch up the part of your body that you are working. We have all heard about the importance of “leg day;” however, it is actually much better to work out at least two to three sets each muscle group during a single workout routine. In an ideal world, you should also allow several days of rest between strength workouts in order for your muscles to recover to their fullest and for them to grow. If you are just starting out, it is advised that you stick to using weight machines as this will decrease your chances of getting injured. It might also be helpful to join a friend at the gym and see what they do or hire a personal trainer to show you the ropes. Although it might be tempting to set goals that will allow you to reach certain targets, it is important to start off slow and then slowly incorporate additional exercises and/or heavier weights.
