Weight training: what are reps, sets and time?

If you look at many of the Workouts in the FitForever library, you’ll notice the regular use of three words: sets, reps, and time.

What are representatives?

Reps is short for repetitions and refers to the number of times you do a certain exercise without stopping. A repetition is when you go from the starting position, through the exercise, and then back to the starting position. So if you’re doing a basic dumbbell biceps curl and you want to do 10 reps, you’ll go from the starting position, lift the dumbbell, and then come back to the starting position 10 times.

What are sets?

A set is a group of repetitions. Continuing with the example of the dumbbell biceps curl, the exercise may require 3 sets of 10 repetitions. This means you do 10 repetitions of the exercise without stopping, then rest, do 10 more repetitions and rest, and then 10 more repetitions and rest. Many weightlifters will alternate with another exercise between sets.

What is time?

Timing, or repetition timing, is used by professional athletes and bodybuilders, but it’s an important part of weight training that novice weightlifters often ignore. Time is simply the time it takes, in seconds, to complete one repetition. Time is often shown with 3 numbers, such as 8:1:8. For the example of a dumbbell biceps curl with a time of 8:1:8, you would simply raise the dumbbell for a count of 8 seconds, hold it at the top of the exercise for 1 second, and then lower the dumbbell for a count of 8 seconds. Timing helps you take your time isolating your muscles and prevents you from swinging or throwing the weights up.