I Don’t Like Rest Periods : A Rant On Rest Periods, Awkward Strength, And Co.

While I’ve heard 1134568 times that to lift big one must take long rest periods. It’s definitely taken as biblical to the powerlifters, but something in my gut always took issue.

Density training always for me was best. It reaped the best results, it built usable work capacity, and depending on the gym put on the best shows.

Honestly decide whats more important to you lifting a big weight once and resting 5 minutes, or lifting a slightly less big weight an assload of times resting maybe a minute between low rep sets.

One very well may work better for powerlifting, but if that’s not your scene, not your style don’t get wrapped up in it.

The more dense manner applies over to life far better. I often tell people that my barbell lifts don’t show well the strength I possess, the gym owner recently describing it to me as viking strength amused me . I’ve generally referred to it as grappling strength, ie I’m stronger on a mat than on any barbell. Case in point: Amateur sumo I hip tossed this 5’6″ 440lb oddly fast but with no spacial awareness gigantitis having but short dude to the shock of the room…and I quote (not me), “if only there had been a camera running, that would’ve went viral”.

I just started a Bryce Lane inspired 50/20. First session was power cleans 185 x 50 reps in 13:56. I just did 10×5 in that span, it was a vast overestimation of the difficulty. However going past 50 reps, and it wasn’t by much on the second attempt at this 50/20 using 205 was killer.

Lifetime PR 275×1, every day max 255. (For perspective on %s used.)

I’m the guy that will hit 90+% 1rm all day long and frequently. This manner of training fits me at least right now.

I’ll try to video the better stuff, and in my mind the YouTube standard of 50 rep density power cleans is high.

(I randomly recalled this vid, and decided to try the 50/20 because of it, honestly I’d like to 225 x 50 in 5 minutes just to beat some random crossfitter’s time.)

-J