Usually, I do two sets of 12 on fourteen different machines (mixture of arms and legs) and six free-weight routines. I usually rest anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes between sets and do both sets on the same machine, etc. But tonight I was in a rush because I had to be somewhere, so I did my weights without resting, but I went through one rotation of the machines and then another rotation, without resting. It took me just 35 or 40 minutes (instead of over an hour), but I feel I got more benefit mentally and physically from doing it this way than resting in between sets. It should be of note that I alternated the upper body with the lower body on the machines. For you weightlifters out there, is this technique (lifting weights without resting in-between) potentially dangerous? I found I like that technique better, and I hear that some people use it. I'm in my third month of weight training (minus 1-1/2 weeks off for being sick).
compound (please correct if its supersets) sets are a legit way of training but 2x14 different machines? thats 28 working sets and does seem like and awfully large amount to me
Sounds like circuit training or Curves to me. I did it when I first started lifting and my weights were pretty low. Actually I still do it occasionally when I too am in a hurry. I don't think I ever did 14 machines in one workout though - usually I do EITHER lower or upper body for a total of 6-7 machines/exercises.
Some serious weight trainer types will tell you it's not the way to make gains because you don't concentrate as much on each set, etc. Personally I think it's a good way to get a workout in fast and keep your heart rate up while you're at it. I do think it might be easier to injure/strain yourself, with more endorphins flowing you are less likely to "hear" your body tell you it's had enough. But if you're lifting in your comfort zone you should be okay.
At the current time, depending on which machine I do, the weight that I set is anywhere from 30 pounds to 70 pounds, i.e., on the shoulder press, butterfly, and chest press, I do 30 pounds, on lat pulldowns I do 40 pounds, whereas on my legs I may do 50 to 70 pounds. On my free weight routine (which I have to ease back into because of history of osteoarthritis in my fingers), I do 5- and 10-pound barbells.
I did a change of routine this evening...
