You will end up performing more reps than when you are completing normal sets. It will also show in the gains you'll make.
Both groups used their respective 80% of 1-rep maximums. However, the rest-pause group failed to train while the traditional group could not have trained to failure given their protocol.
It is important to not be rigid about your training principles. This might not work for you in the long-term or even short-term. Rest-pause is not the right choice if it doesn't feel right. Everyone reacts differently to different intensities, volume levels, frequency, and exercises. Training should suit you mentally and physically. It should also be sustainable over a number of sessions. You can be proud of your efforts if this does not fit the bill.
All things being equal, the number of sets and the proximity to failure are likely to be suboptimal. Conventional training is better for maximizing strength and hypertrophy. The latter allows for more volume and longer rest.
Are you still skeptical of the benefits of rest-pause training? In 2017, another study was published in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. This time, it looked at the differences between a standard rest-pause training protocol and a more conventional rest period protocol. The conventional group performed 6 sets at 80% with 2-3 minute rest in-between sets. The rest-pause set performed as many sets as possible during the first set. Next, they took 20 seconds to rest between each set. Finally, they completed as many sub-sets of 18 reps until they were done. There were no significant strength gains in the two groups when volume and load were equal. The key difference? The biggest difference?
Brad Schoenfeld published a August 2018 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise that evaluated muscle adaptations in weight lifting regiments of low (1 set), medium (3 sets) and high volume (5 sets). This was based on weight-training experience men. Their findings showed that while the high volume group gained more muscle, there were no differences in strength gains among the three groups. To be precise, the low volume group only did three 13-minute sessions per semaine over an 8-week period to reach the same strength as the high volume and moderate groups.
This training method is extremely brutal. Although it can be a great way of making progress in a short time, it is also physically and mentally draining. This training method (i.e. You might not be able to recover from this training style if you don't sleep enough and eat enough. Recall that we learn best when we are able to recover from training and not the training itself.
This is a great way to hypertrophy, as you can fatigue your muscle fibers deeper. Because of the nature of short, concentrated efforts, it tends to give you more pump. This is also a great way for you to break down a plateau. It gets you used to pushing through difficult reps so that you can do another straight set.
It was a surprise to me that I saw strength gains in 3 months, compared with the usual 8-9 weeks of overreaching. Although I am sure there were other factors, I have found that every week has been slightly more difficult.
Both groups used 80% of their 1-rep max. The rest-pause group was able to train to failure, while the traditional training group couldn't, due to their protocol.
Example: 10 biceps curls and quick rest. 10 extension of triceps. Repeat this twice more.
While you can only do 2-3 reps on steps 2, and 3, it will feel like you are doing a lot more. Each rep is a grind. When you take deep breaths, you feel the muscle fibers being accessed in a manner that a regular set of 6-10 reps can't.
While rest-pause sets are great and should be used, they're not superior to traditional sets. This is especially true if you match effort and use progressive overload.
Rest-pause training is a method of breaking down a set into multiple sets with 10- to 15 second rests between. This technique can not only fatigue muscle fibers but also helps break down difficult strength and growth plateaus.
Drop sets are where you complete a set and fail until you cannot complete it without failure. Then, you lose approximately 20% of your body weight, then do another set to fail.
Anyone who has used rest-pause will tell you that it works... to an extent. Its effectiveness is confirmed by research, although many coaches exaggerate the benefits, especially in terms of strength and size. Is rest-pause more beneficial than the rep system itself? Or is it simply a matter if basic lifting principles, such as volume, intensity and effort.
Consider also the fact that participants may have done a lot more reps if they had personal differences.
As the rest-pause participants grew stronger their protocol allowed for progressive overload. They were able complete the same reps with the exact same weight in fewer sets. They were also able set rep PRs in their first few sessions.
Both groups used 80% of their 1-rep max. The rest-pause group was able to train to failure, while the traditional training group couldn't, due to their protocol.
Like many others who strength train for any length of the day, you are busy. We are all busy. It doesn't really matter what your reason is, all that matters it that you don't get the time that you need to achieve your goal. Strength is a skill. You need to continue practicing compound lifts that increase muscle fiber recruitment. Heavy weight means a lot of sets and reps. This will force your nervous system into adaptation.
You can do almost any strength training activity you want. It is not recommended to be used for high-skilled weightlifting exercises such as the snatch. The snatch requires coordination and technique that can quickly become fatigued. However, for your strength exercises you can use it on any type of exercise. If it's leg day, you can substitute the plan that you used for your 5x5 or 4x6 squats or 6x3 squats with one from the ones I have listed. Bench day? Same thing. No 3-to 4-minute breaks or wasted time. Only gut-busting sets to increase strength and endurance in a minimal amount of time. This could be true for some exercises, while others might feel more comfortable. These are both great for me on traditional deadlifts as well as front squats. While you might enjoy the feel on the benches, it's not as stimulating when you squat. It's just like everything else in training. Take the time to figure out what works well for you.