How do I know if my intensity is high enough?

[D_M_S]

I've struggled with the question of "how intense is INTENSE?". I'm trying to increase the intensity of my workouts and build strength.

Some days I feel really intense, other days I just feel like I'm just going through the motions. I try to measure myself by, oddly enough, sweat. When I feel like I've had a good workout, I'm pretty well spent and my sweat shows. Other workouts, I'm hardly even warm, much less sweating.

So, are there other ways to measure intensity or otherwise know that you're getting a solid workout?

[TunaMan]

If your not sweating, your probably one of those guys who just goes into the gym not knowing what to do. Cause if this is the case, most of the time you think "hmm what am I going to do next?", and you kill time and you lose the burn. Let's say you do have a plan, just try not to rest and just beat the crap out of the weights, just constantly move.. that's the key, don't think twice just keep going and you will sweat like crazy. Another idea is running or jumproping before you lift and then workout. This way your already sweating and most likely you will keep going and workout harder. If your intensity is high, you should feel your heart racing and trying to breathe .. just get mad! %% and lift dem weights babyyyyy.

[D_M_S]

Appreciate the help. I DO use a program and I know which exercises I need to be doing on any given day. But it would help to minimize the rest in between sets. I know that gets the heart-rate going, but isn't some rests in between sets necessary?

[hrdgain81]

Yes DMS, rest is definately nessisary, or all you will be building is muscle and cardio vascular endurance. Intensity doesnt mean no rest, And it cant be measured by sweat. although sweat is a good indication that your working hard, and your heart rate is up.

To me intensity is mental, (caution, sweeping generalization about pl's) powerlifters lift with the extreme intensity, but have been known to take 4-5 minutes between sets. Intensity to me is the way you move the weights ... do you push yourself? do you move the wieght with authority? after your set do you feel like you could run through the wall? To me thats intensity, its all about mental attitude.

[ChinPieceDave667]

Originally Posted by D_M_S

Appreciate the help. I DO use a program and I know which exercises I need to be doing on any given day. But it would help to minimize the rest in between sets. I know that gets the heart-rate going, but isn't some rests in between sets necessary?

Very much so but it depends on your goals and the exercise you do. You would naturly need more rest from doing compound movements like the big 3, bench, squat, deadlifts, but for something like curls, it should be short.

You want to go for strength, so lets say you rest for 2 minutes in-between each set. Your next workout rest 5-10 seconds less than the previous. Until you get to 1 minute or so. OR One week take 5 seconds off the rest time the next week add 5lbs. and alternate between the two. This will also help in building Strength Endurance.


Also, if I were to go my how much I sweat, all I'd have to do is do 2 sets of squats and leave.

[ChinPieceDave667]

Originally Posted by hrdgain81

Yes DMS, rest is definately nessisary, or all you will be building is muscle and cardio vascular endurance. Intensity doesnt mean no rest, And it cant be measured by sweat. although sweat is a good indication that your working hard, and your heart rate is up.

To me intensity is mental, (caution, sweeping generalization about pl's) powerlifters lift with the extreme intensity, but have been known to take 4-5 minutes between sets. Intensity to me is the way you move the weights ... do you push yourself? do you move the wieght with authority? after your set do you feel like you could run through the wall? To me thats intensity, its all about mental attitude.

very good point.

[D_M_S]

I certainly do have some mental blocks that could use more intensity and should try to work on that.

Good points all around - keep it coming, this is good stuff.

[Kane]

Lift some heavy fuckin weights and you're lifting intensely...why does everything have to get complicated?!?

ps. Maybe try grunting a bit to increase the mental pump up

[Dr X]

Sweat is not a measuring factor that I would use. I don't sweat very much but after a workout I am wiped. I look at it as I have exausted myself, that is a good workout.

[Eric3237]

Originally Posted by Kane

Lift some heavy fuckin weights and you're lifting intensely...why does everything have to get complicated?

Exactly.