Don't Like 'Stacked' Workouts

[bubbles76]

Normally I don't like this kind of training. I would rather do 3 sets of 1 exercise and then move on to the next thing rather than do 1 set of 7 exercises and repeat that 3 times. For some reason it didn't bother me here.

But since someone mentioned the Pyramids, what I did NOT like was how it seemed we worked the front of the legs to death before finally moving to the back. Those deadlifts actually felt sooooo good after so many lunges and squats.

[Cher]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

I've been using the LITE workout 'Strong Body Stacked Sets - Upper'. She does, for example, 7 different exercises for back and biceps, then repeats the whole sequence. It's like the 'Take it from the Top' used in so many cardio workouts, which I've always hated. When I get to the end of a sequence I just don't feel like starting it over.

Today I just repeated each exercise by skipping back before going on to the next exercise. That way I did each set twice and was done. I liked this much better. I usually have to pause after a set anyway to change weights etc.

I do like the way this workout easily divides into splits - there are premixes for that.

I suppose I am messing up whatever advantage the 'stacked' approach is supposed to have, but I feel I'm getting a good workout. You can do the split premixes in about 20 minutes each, including warm up and stretch.

Yes! This is me too! I did do Stacked Upper as is but totally dreaded all the second sets. When I did Stacked Lower, I stopped after the first set of second exercises. (So did 3 rounds total). Just could not face a second set of that 2nd round. Yesterday I did Pyramid Lower Body (Up Premix) and did not mind repeating each exercise three times. I don't know why one exercise at a time doesn't bother me but a whole set repeated does.

I'm glad you mentioned about repeating each exercise right after finishing the one before moving onto the next exercise. I had been thinking of trying that next time despite it defeating the purpose of the workout. I figure better doing it that way than only doing each exercise only once which is what will happen next time because I just dread the big repeat. I wish she had a premix for this way.

[Demeris]

Sara1000 raised a question, sort of, to which I'd love an answer.

What is the benefit of 'stacked' workouts?

[Messe]

Originally Posted by Demeris

Sara1000 raised a question, sort of, to which I'd love an answer.

What is the benefit of 'stacked' workouts?

From Cathe's description: "This all upper body weight routine will utilize giant sets to incorporate a whole lot of work into a short amount of time! Layer on exercises, reps, and sets to elevate your metabolic rate and totally fatigue your muscle!"

[Sara1000]

Originally Posted by Messe

From Cathe's description: "This all upper body weight routine will utilize giant sets to incorporate a whole lot of work into a short amount of time! Layer on exercises, reps, and sets to elevate your metabolic rate and totally fatigue your muscle!"

What does that even mean? Can't you do the same thing by doing two sets of each exercise in succession?

[Demeris]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

What does that even mean? Can't you do the same thing by doing two sets of each exercise in succession?

Yes, this is my question, too.

[Tugger31]

I just did Stacked Upper Body and loved it!

[Messe]

Originally Posted by Sara1000

What does that even mean? Can't you do the same thing by doing two sets of each exercise in succession?

I'm not crazy about doing straight sets, so a few things make stacking or cycling through a series of exercises work better for me. I find that can ultimately lift heavier when I don't do straight sets. Moving from exercise to exercise in an upper-body workout also has more of a metabolic effect. And the most important thing for me is that it's not boring, so I know I'll use the two stacking workouts over and over. But we're all different, so if you don't like the DVD as is, find a way to make it work for you.

[Sara1000]

Originally Posted by Messe

I'm not crazy about doing straight sets, so a few things make stacking or cycling through a series of exercises work better for me. I find that can ultimately lift heavier when I don't do straight sets. Moving from exercise to exercise in an upper-body workout also has more of a metabolic effect. And the most important thing for me is that it's not boring, so I know I'll use the two stacking workouts over and over. But we're all different, so if you don't like the DVD as is, find a way to make it work for you.

Sounds like we are the opposite

[Sue B]

It depends where I am. At the gym, stacking or supersets are inconvenient if I have to go back and forth from one spot to another. But on DVDs, I prefer stacking or rounds because I can do just one or two if short on time. I like that about Cathe's PHA, but I got rid of most of her other strength DVDs because I don't care for working one muscle to numbness before moving on.

I haven't seen any difference in "results", I think it's mainly about what's most convenient and what you prefer.