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It’s important to know the types of sets in weight training

TwoDumbbells

While doing weight training we perform sets of each exercise. The set refers to the several repetitions of the exercises and repetitions refer to the number of times you perform a specific exercise. While, designing the weight training program it is very essential to decide how many sets and the repetitions.

Following are the different types of sets

  • Straight Sets:

This type of sets is usually performed by the beginners. In this type, the sets and the repetitions are reaming the same. There is no change in lifting the weight as well.

The example of the Straight Set is performing 3 sets with 15 repetitions of a particular exercise. There is no change in lifting weight.

  • Compound Sets :

Compound sets refer to targeting two exercises with the same muscle group. Example of Compound set is performing bench press dumbbells with dumbbells fly. Bench press dumbbells will target the Pectorals major while dumbbells fly focuses on the sternum pectorals.

  • Supersets:

Supersets means paring 2 exercise that work opposite muscle groups. The example of the superset is Dumbbells Chest presses followed by lats pull down. Here the Chest and the back are the opposite muscle group.

  • Tri Sets

Three different exercises performed back to back without any pause is known as a Tri sets.

The example of the Tri set is Bench Press followed by the dumbbells fly and push ups.

  • Drop Sets

In the drop set method the trainee starts with the heavy weights with low repetitions after that reduce or drop the weight and perform the repetitions (reps) till failure. For example the trainee may start peck fly with 200 lbs with 5 reps. In the next round 180 Lbs with 8 reps, The next round 150 Lbs with 10reps. The next round 130 Lbs with 12 reps. And the last round 100 labs with 10 reps.

  • Giant Sets

A series of 4 to 6 exercises done with little or no rest between movements and a rest period of 2-3 minutes between sets, often performed on either 2 opposite muscle groups like biceps and triceps or on a single body part.

Example: 

Giant Set for the Chest:

  1. Incline Barbell Press (4 to 6 Reps)
  2. Decline Barbell Press (4 to 6 Reps)
  3. Machine Chest Press (4 to 6 Reps)
  4. Peck Deck Fly (4 to 6 Reps)
  5. Floor Dips (4 to 6 Reps)
  • Pyramid Sets

It refers to the starting the first set with the lighter weight with more repetition. Gradually the trainee increases the weight and lower the reps. The rest between the sets depend on individual goal.

For Example:

Performing Leg Press

1st Set for 100 Lbs with 15 reps

2nd Set for 150 Lbs with 12 reps

3rd Set for 200 Lbs with 10 reps

4th Set for 250 Lbs with 8 reps

5th Set for 300 Lbs with 6 reps

6th Set for 350 Lbs with 4 reps

  • Reverse Pyramid Sets:

It is just opposite of pyramid sets. It refers to the starting the first set with the heavier weight with less repetition. Gradually, the trainee reduces the weight and increases the reps. The, rest between the sets depends on individual goals.

For Example 

Performing Leg Extension

1st Set for 200 Lbs with 5 reps

2nd Set for 180 Lbs with 8 reps

3rd Set for 150 Lbs with 10 reps

4th Set for 120 Lbs with 12 reps

5th Set for 100 Lbs with 15 reps

6th Set for 80 Lbs with 18 reps

These are all different types of sets which are used in weight training program. We can choose the type of the set as per the Goal.

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How to Breathe Correctly During Weight Training

Lat-Pull-DownExercise is essential for good health. In exercises we often give importance to the workout pattern, form and technique as it enhances the performance.  Today, through this blog I would like to focus more on the breathing technique during Weight Training

Weight training is subject to moderate or high intense workout.  When we exercise at the end of every set the muscles lack enough oxygen and lactic acid is produced. In a short, we are unable to do more repetitions or exercise with more weight. The universal method of breathing during weight training exercise is opposite of gravitation- exhale means lifting the weight or pulling the weight and breath out  and when we come back to the starting position inhale or breath in .

Here I would like to give 2 examples

First Example is a bench press:

bench-press
Bench press is known as a pushing movement of exercise. Here we are pushing the barbells or the dumbbells opposite of the gravity so we need to exhale while pushing it up. And while we bring down the barbell or dumbbells towards gravity inhale.

The Second Example: Lat Pull Down

Now we are focusing on the pulling movement. The name of the exercise itself tells us this is the pulling movement of exercise

When we pull the Lat Pulley bar down we need to exhale because weight is going up during this phase remember opposite of gravitation exhale. Again coming back to the starting position inhale.

There are benefits of breathing right while exercising. Some of these benefits include boosting energy levels as well as metabolism. We can do our exercise with more weights; correct breathing will help us to improve our posture.

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Play smart with your insulin to maintain your weight!

diabetes to maintain weight loss

 

Most often we have heard about insulin only in the context of diabetes. That’s because diabetes is a condition characterized by insulin deficiency. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of Pancreas in response to glucose released in the blood after the carbohydrate breakdown in the body. Insulin’s role is to pick up the glucose from blood and take it to the cells to feed them. Since there’s lack of insulin in a diabetic situation, the blood glucose isn’t drawn from blood to cells and therefore its levels remain high.

Insulin is barely talked about in the weight loss/weight gain segment despite it playing a huge role in it.

To understand the link between insulin and weight, we first need to understand the relationship between carbs, blood sugar and insulin. It is this connection that has massive bearing on weight loss.

There are 2 kinds of carbs- Simple and Complex. Simple carbs are the ones which are quickly broken down to glucose and result in rapid spike in blood sugar, whereas complex carbs are the slow glucose releasing carbs (do not cause blood sugar spike unlike the simple ones)

Let’s check out the mechanism of insulin and weight gain:

  • Simple carbs cause a prompt response of insulin which takes care of the sugar spike and restores the blood sugar levels. It carries the glucose to the cells where it is used for energy (fuel), and the extra is stored as glycogen in the liver (storage form of glucose). The excess glucose, over and above, gets converted into FAT!
  • When we eat a lot of simple carbs at a time, our pancreas tries its best to keep up with the massive surges in blood glucose by producing large amounts of insulin, resulting in a quick drop in blood glucose levels (i.e. hypoglycemia). This is then followed by a feeling of dizziness and weakness. It doesn’t end here, it further leads to hunger pangs and crazy cravings for sweets/refined carbs in an attempt to normalize the blood glucose level. This eventually leads to a vicious circle of eating foods high in sugar, which ultimately end up getting converted into fat.
  • If the above cycle continues for a prolonged period, and our pancreas repeatedly and constantly produces insulin in huge amounts, there will be a point when our cells start getting immune or insensitive to insulin, this state is called Insulin Resistance. The cells no longer accept glucose that insulin carries along with it. Hence, the glucose levels in the blood stay up, ultimately leading to fat storage. This fat storage mainly occurs because insulin also activates a fat storage enzyme called lipoprotein lipase.

These are exactly the reasons why Insulin is tagged as a “Lipogenic Hormone”- One that results in fat gain!

If you are keen on preventing yourself from the not-so-appealing weight/fat gain, then it’s important for you to play wisely with your insulin by doing the right thing when it comes to carb consumption.

How can we assure this? All that we have to take care is that we keep the refined and simple carb intake on the lower side. This category includes bread and bakery stuff, pizzas, burgers, sweets and desserts, polished rice and noodles, etc. Believe me, when you are busy enjoying these foods, your body is getting ready to store it as fat.

Focus more on complex carbs which include the whole grain based stuff like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown/red rice, fibrous green vegetables, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, beans, peas and lentils, etc.

As the complex carbs are slow moving, they lead to slow secretion of insulin which does its job at its own sweet pace, hence there’s no issue of fat storage in this case. This allows you to feel fuller for a longer period of time, typically for up to 3 hours and thereby preventing hunger pangs and unnecessary binging.

The overall connection is a bit tricky but, once we decode this puzzle, we are sorted!

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What you need to know about Free Weights and Exercise Machines

 

Free Weights

Its finally time for you to get into shape. I am sure you are either new to strength training, or it’s been a while since you’ve been to the gym.

The one thing that we all know about going to the gym is that you have to lift weights. Most in fact go to the gym for weight training ( or what they call pumping iron).

But, in weight training too there is something called free weights and exercise machines. I would here like to clear the concept of free weights vs exercise machines. I will talk of the advantages and the disadvantages of both.

The Benefits of Using Free Weights:

When you use free weights you get more bang for your buck. There are loads of exercises that one can do with free weights. And these can be done at home or at the gym than one can do with the big expensive machines.

While doing free weights there is no range of motion inhibitors like with most exercise machines. You can adjust each exercise according to your body. Another great benefit with free weight is that you can really enhance your motor skills. When using free weights their are more action on your muscles to stabilize and balance your body and its weight thereby giving you a more complete workout.

Ideally if you are serious and you want get strong the you need to train on free weights.

But, there are Negatives of using Free Weights: let’s understand what are these negatives…

Firstly, you will need advice to help you get the right workout program design. Hiring a trainer or researching the best exercises for you must come first. It is also extremely important to use proper form. Thus, hiring a trainer will get you started right.

Secondly, the chances of getting injured is higher while using free weights. If you don’t lift it right and do the exercises in the right manner, free weights can hurt you faster than it will make you fit.

Thirdly, You will need a lifting partner if you plan on pumping heavy iron. Get a partner or a trainer to help check your form. It is very easy to get sloppy, even when you know what your doing. For example, don’t try a heavy weight in the squat or bench press without a “spotter”. Make sure that you can control the weight and do the exercise correctly and in the right position.

The Benefits of Using Exercise Machines:

If you have a time constraint, using machines can be an efficient way to do workouts. Putting a pin into the weight stack is quicker than loading up a barbell. Plus, the arrangement of machines in a gym facilitates changing exercises efficiently.

If you are new to the gym, and without a trainer, machines are a safe way to start your work out regime. Most machines have diagrams to help you lift and do the exercise correctly. If you have injuries, machines will help stabilize your body. With the extra support, you can focus on healthy muscles, and give your injuries time to heal. If you want to lift heavy weights without assistance, machines will help. The security of the machine allows you to lift more, without the fear of dropping the weights.

If you want to train one specific muscle group, machines aid in focus. It is difficult to do certain exercises (like a leg curl) with free weights, and a machine will hone right in on your desired goal.

The Negatives of Using Exercise Machines:

Machines let you cruise through an exercise without bringing in stabilizing muscles. You don’t get true strength that relates to the movement in your daily life.

Another negative with machines is that they don’t always fit your body. If you are very small or very tall, the machines may not fit your size, and the exercise won’t be mechanically efficient, leading to injury. Also most exercise machines don’t give you much flexibility or variation. Most machines create a forced or guided two-dimensional movement pattern, so you are limited in how your muscles develop.

Another problem with using machines is they get occupied quickly in a gym. Your time gets wasted or there is a huge time gap between one exercise and another only because you are awaiting your turn on a machine. In the waiting process you are likely to get irritated and frustrated and this is a big turn-off when you want to get into shape.

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