Supersets (I’ve also heard them called flush sets by some people) are a relatively advanced technique that can be useful in breaking out of a plateau or simply shaking your workout up a bit. Supersets involve doing one set of multiple exercises (any number I guess, but typically 2-4) immediately following one another. Completion of each set for all of the exercise constitues one superset. For example doing one set of barbell curls, immediately followed by one set of tricep pressdowns, immediately followed by dumbbell curls, immediately followed by tricep extensions would be one 4-exercise arm-blasting superset. You would rest, then repeat the process until all of your supersets are complete. (Actually, I believe technically a superset is two exercises in a row, a triset is three, and a “giant” or quad set is four, but that’s only if you’re being picky about it hehe).
Really, any exercises can be combined to form a superset, although I typically put together related bodyparts such as abs (lower, upper, and obliques) or arms (biceps, triceps), etc. (see also Staggered Sets). I enjoy supersets from a bodybuilding perspective, but they’re not the best technique if you’re looking to build pure strength. Doing two exercises in a row, with no rest in between, will fatique your muscles to a greater degree and reduce the amount of weight you can handle, particularly on the second movement. As a result, you won’t be able to use as heavy a weight as you might normally use.
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