105 seconds is a looong time

[nancysmithwp]

especially in between the ab exercises. Really, now, 6 crunches and rest 105 seconds... I can't make the ab work hard enough to warrant that kind of rest. It's already taking over 1.5 hours in stage 3, not counting showers.

I've been trying to be faithful to Allwyn, but I'm cutting the rest time between ab work exercises. They come too easy for me. I tried a 25 pound plate, I tried holding my arms straight over my head, it doesn't take that long to recover.

[marygrace]

I did the ab exercises as a real superset without any rest in between. I believe Jane did the same. I think I remember a couple of people agreeing that the long rest through the ab workout was just included for consistency throughout the whole workout.

Also, I was finding the crunches really easy even with a 25-lb plate or my arms behind my head. I started using the incline bench and holding a 25-lb bar across my forehead. THAT was hard.

[Aoife]

I always cut down the rest for that sort of thing. It's fine. If you really don't need it, screw it. Save yourself a minute during each rest.

[Bytsi]

I cut the rest between the abs too... do them as a superset 'cuz I agree - it's a waste of time.

On my first time through Stage 3A yesterday, I cut the rests a lot. I don't know if I can go higher on weights without sacrificing form (I'll know better after my 2nd time through), but... 105 seconds is a LOT. Especially for a type-A who knows she has to get to work on-time! So... I did somewhere around 75-90 seconds between most of the sets, maybe hit 105 once or twice... but I felt like my HR had recovered and I was ready to go, so why stand there!?

[Aoife]

It's really important on very heavy lifts. The long rests, I mean. When I'm doing 3 reps, or trying for a 1RM I take at least 3 min rest, even though I feel fine at 1.5 or 2. But for this stuff... you can often go when you know you're ready... esp if you've done it enough to know. I suspect the rests are the rx for people who haven't done this before, have weaknesses, etc.

That being said, for some things, if you don't need the rest you aren't doing enough work, and you should think about heavier weights. But for abs... psht.

[Tia]

Same here...cut it down to 60 sec rests btwn ab sets. The workouts go REAL long if you don't!

[Libellula]

i started at 105, and then worked my way down to about 95 seconds between. Not because I felt 105 was too long, but because 95 was where my attention would start wandering and I felt ready to keep going.

[Ruthie]

In stage 3 I did the abs stuff as a superset like others. I also did the alternating exercises using different muscle groups as a superset - e.g. partial single let squat and wide grip lat pulldown. I did take the full rest in between each pair of exercises though.

[copwife]

Originally Posted by Ruthie

In stage 3 I did the abs stuff as a superset like others. I also did the alternating exercises using different muscle groups as a superset - e.g. partial single let squat and wide grip lat pulldown. I did take the full rest in between each pair of exercises though.

That is a great idea, I think I'll try that.

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by copwife

That is a great idea, I think I'll try that.

I love that idea too!!