People often overdo things at the gym. They think that in order to get big, strong, or even ripped, they have to do many of the same exercises, over and over again.
Set after set is lifted in an attempt to reach their perfect physique. But these individuals are often misguided. Here are 4 reasons why most gym-goers should stick to doing just 1 set for each exercise.
1. You Stress Your Muscles Just As Much
Why do more than you have to in life? I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t enjoy doing more work than I have to for things. I enjoy doing as much as necessary to reach my goals, and no more.
Why would I do 3 sets of the same exercise, if 1 set stresses the muscle just as much. As long as you’re going to muscular failure, meaning that you are pushing yourself to your limit, 1 set does the trick!
2. You Have More Time to Rest Up
Muscles aren’t built while you’re at the gym. In fact, they’re broken down! They may swell, full of blood and water, and they may look big during your lifts, but the muscle fibers you work are actually tearing apart while you do each rep.
Your muscles only build back up when you end your workout and rest up. It’s during this resting period that your body repairs the muscle damage and stress that you caused, and produces the positive growth or strength that we crave.
Knowing this, it’s essential that you get in, and get out! Marathon workout sessions at the gym do nothing but set you back. In fact, you risk overtraining the more time you spend in the gym. It’s better to stress your muscles and feel a good burn on them, and then immediately leave!
By going home and resting, you will see faster and better results.
3. You Won’t Get Burned Out
Along with doing marathon-like sessions of lifting at the gym, comes getting burned out. Nobody likes spending all their time doing the same thing all the time. When you do set after set after set, you risk getting bored, tired, and fed-up with working out.
A better approach is to keep your mind and your level of motivation fresh, and cut your time at the gym down exponentially. With this approach, you’ll never get tired of going there!
4. There’s Less Chance of Injury
By only doing an exercise once, you run less risk of injuring yourself. Our bodies aren’t typically meant to do something over and over again. We’re not machines. We wear down when repetitive motions are constantly made.
That’s why things like tendonitis, muscle strain, and muscle tears are so prevalent. Give your body a break, and try doing less work. You can still work just as hard, and stress your muscles equally, but cutting out the tedium of your lifts will cut down on your injuries!
Next time you go to the gym, go for less time. Try doing just 1 set and see just how much better it really is!
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