What are “Sets” and “Repetitions”?
ANSWER This is a simple concept, but you should be completely familiar with it because this determines the quality and quantity of just about all weight training programs. A repetition is one complete exercise movement and is often shortened to “rep”. For example, one lift of a barbell from the floor to the waist and back down again is a repetition of one. Sounds a bit strange when a repetition is only one, but wait, there’s more to come. Repetitions apply to every exercise you do including those without weights. Two situps is also two repetitions. A set is a group of repetitions and is defined by a rest break in between: for example, you do six barbell lifts and then you rest for two minutes and do another six. If you repeat this cycle of six three times you have done three sets of six repetitions of the barbell exercise. Good job!
