Is there something inherently wrong with doing sets like this?

[Jeeebus]

I exercise in the garage with a bench / dumbbells. Generally speaking, I'm doing about 9 different exercises each day, M W F, more or less targeting specific muscle groups.

Question: Recently I've started doing 1 set, then moving to the next exercise, then the next, etc. Basically doing one set of everything. Then another set of everything. And then finally a third (and then I die).

Is that a problem vs. doing, say, 3 sets of one, then 3 sets of the next? I find that if I do that, I'm dead by the time I get into later exercises and can barely do them.

Am I doing something fundamentally wrong?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I am just a layman, so keep that in mind. What you are doing is a form of circuit training. And from what I have read, it depends on what your goals are, as to if it is a good thing or not. Our resident gurus will have more detailed and accurate answers for you.

 

[SlitheryDee]

The only problem I can think of is that you are probably taking something away from your primary compound exercises. For instance, if you are working your chest primarily you want to be at your freshest when doing bench presses. You don't want to be too fatigued to do them effectively just because you've been rotating in other stuff. If you do one set of bench presses, then one set of flies, then one set of something else, and then come back to bench presses, you're going to be a lot weaker for that second set of bench presses. Since the bench press is arguably the most important exercise of the three, you want to be able to put the most effort into it to get the maximum benefit.

If I wanted to work out like that, I would do the primary compound exercises in a more traditional way and then do what you are suggesting for everything else.

 

[Pantlegz]

I agree with SlitheryDee, Do all 3 sets of you main lift then if you want to do circuit training for the rest go for it.

 

[darkxshade]

Have you tried supersetting instead?

 

[jaedaliu]

Your muscles need recovery time between sets. So, when you do your cycle, by the time you get back to the first exercise, your muscles have recovered some, but not completely. What you're doing is probably good cardio, and decent resistance.

If you're looking to increase resistance, go back into the house, do something else for half an hour, then come back to the garage and do your next cycle. You should have recovered enough to repeat your first cycle's worth of reps.

 

[BEJ]

Some good recommendations in previous posts. I basically use the same routine. But, I'm 70 years old.
1. Define your goal (gain weight/lose weight, gain strength, endurance, etc.)
2. Design a routine to reach your goal.
3. If possible, keep a log so you can see your progress.

I split my body into upper and lower. First week, M/F, upper, W lower, week 2 M/F
lower, W upper. Switch every week. Upper=chest, upper back, shoulders.
Lower=lower back, legs, arms.
I superset both upper and lower, i.e. bench super with chins (wide grip), cable flys with row, dips with chins (narrow grip). No rest between superseted exercises, but a couple of minutes between the supersetted set. Hope that makes sense.
For lower body I just do two sets of 8 exercises. Like you, 1 set of all 8 exercises (no rest) 12 reps followed by 1 set of all 8 for 5 reps. Rest a couple of minutes between exercise cycles. I do abs T/TH/Sunday.
My goal is to function in as normal fashion as possible. I have friends who get down on their knees and can't get back up without help. That situation isn't for me.
Also, many of my "weightlifting" friends, including me, have "overuse" injuries from years of lifting. Might say something for heavy lifting, minimal sets, and maybe once a week weight workouts. Other days for core, cardio, etc. To each his own.

 

[tedrodai]

The only problem I can think of is that you are probably taking something away from your primary compound exercises. For instance, if you are working your chest primarily you want to be at your freshest when doing bench presses. You don't want to be too fatigued to do them effectively just because you've been rotating in other stuff. If you do one set of bench presses, then one set of flies, then one set of something else, and then come back to bench presses, you're going to be a lot weaker for that second set of bench presses. Since the bench press is arguably the most important exercise of the three, you want to be able to put the most effort into it to get the maximum benefit.

If I wanted to work out like that, I would do the primary compound exercises in a more traditional way and then do what you are suggesting for everything else.

Aye, and not just primary compound exercises...any exercises further down in the rotation will get gypped, at least a little. However, it depends on your goals. If you're doing it for muscle gain (either strength or size), definitely heed SlitheryDee's advice. If you're doing it primarily for calorie burn and muscle gains are secondary, go for it.

 

[Jeeebus]

Thx all. At this point, my biggest concern is that I ballooned up to 215 lbs after a difficult year last year. I look and feel best at around 190, so I want this weight gone more than I want to be a monster like Alky.

On my non-weight days, I've been doing burpees (10x, rest a minute, 9x, rest a minute, etc.). Let me just say, in no uncertain terms, FUCK YOU burpees. I hadn't worked out in months, and I was less sore after an hour of weights than I was after 15 minutes or so of burpees (I'm doing them with the push-up).

For shits and giggles, I looked up different varieties of burpees, and had to laugh at the one where I do my burpees set, then sprint 50 yds, then do another set, etc. Unless I'm doing this down the hallway in a hospital with a heart surgeon on standby, no thank you.

 

[blackdogdeek]

For shits and giggles, I looked up different varieties of burpees, and had to laugh at the one where I do my burpees set, then sprint 50 yds, then do another set, etc. Unless I'm doing this down the hallway in a hospital with a heart surgeon on standby, no thank you.

If burpees had an evil sibling, it would be broad jump burpees...for distance.