Exercise Order

Exercise Order (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Training] >> Training Correctly >> Exercise Order

Message
(for even more bodybuilding questions answered, check out the main forum at: www.MuscleTalk.co.uk)

blackj -> Exercise Order (Apr. 22 2008 19:57:45)
For the last two weeks on my chest day the Barbell for my flat bench press has been in use when I started my training session. Rather than standing round waiting I have started doing my other exercise, Dumb bell incline press, Dips, Cable flies. And have done the Bench press as soon at it was available. I am finding I'm having a much greater difficulty than before in completing the number of reps I would normally do if I had started with the bench press. So I have added extra sets in an attempt to keep the total volume the same at least. I.e. before if I benched first I'd get 3 set of 12 reps at 70 and a final set of 75 for 10 reps. So now if I only manage 10 reps on a couple of the 70 sets I'll do an extra set and make up the difference in reps I'm missing. My question is, is this a good way to proceed or should I just wait until the Bench press is free? Should I really start with the big compound movement like the bench? Or am I over analysing thing? Thanks

cjohn -> RE: Exercise Order (Apr. 23 2008 11:53:58)
I think what you are doing makes complete sense. As an alternative to doing an extra set though, it would be fine to drop the weight a little. It sounds like you're training primarily for body sculpting purposes rather than with the aim of lifting a certain amount of weight, so don't worry about the poundages at all, just worry about working your muscles as hard as you can every time you go. It is probably beneficial to mix up the order of exercises every now and then anyway, but you're right, you won't be able to lift the same weights/reps if you do. But what you lose on the bench you should gain on the dips etc.

blackj -> RE: Exercise Order (Apr. 23 2008 18:03:26)
Thanks cjohn, I'm more training for fitness purposes but I suppose there is an aspect of wanting to sculpt a more desirable form. I have gain on the other exercises aright and I am increasing those where possible. But its just kind of hard to track any overall impovement when the reps and weight used for each exercise keep changing up and down each week.

cjohn -> RE: Exercise Order (Apr. 23 2008 22:05:13)
Yeah, I know what you mean, it is harder to keep track of your progress when you move the order around. Maybe you could just shift the timescale that you look at improvements though; rather than comparing week on week, compare the average of the last month with the average of this month or something.

Page: [1]

Check out the main forum at: www.MuscleTalk.co.uk