Monday, January 21, 2008

Supersets vs. Intervals




What's the difference between supersets and interval training?







Dear Fitness Fan,

Great question! I’m glad you asked!

Supersets are groups of weight training exercises grouped without resting (can be working similar or opposite muscle groups), in order to increase caloric burn and maximize use of time. Intervals are “intervals” (hence the name) of weight training interspersed with cardio training, and also increase calories burned/maximize time. They’re just two different approaches to getting the most out of a quick workout.

For more focus on strength or mass gains, a slower pace, with longer rest periods (up to 3 minutes between set), is recommended, in order to allow the muscles to recover enough to lift more weight. Greater benefits are seen in strength and muscular development, but the tradeoff is time – it takes much longer to do a workout, and you have to do cardio on top of it.

Yours in fitness,

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