Cathe: sets vs. reps

kathryn

kathryn

Cathlete
Since the Slow and Heavy series (where the confusion is understandable because the reps are sooooo long!), I've noticed that you fairly consistently use the term "sets" when refering to "reps" in resistance workouts. I would like to make a polite request that you be more careful about using the correct terminology. I think it's important both for the new beginning/intermediate workouts (so new exercisers don't learn the incorrect terms and sound like schlubs when talking to other people who are 'in the know';-) ) and for the advanced workouts (to reduce any annoyance for those who ARE 'in the know').

(I'm getting out my vegan marshmallows and tofu hotdogs in case any flames appear...but hope there is no need! :-( x( )
 
Kathryn,
Thank you for posting this polite request. I completely agree with you. It can be confusing for newcomers. I think Cathe probably goes into automatic mode sometimes, because she has been doing this for so long, and because she is concentrating so much on so many different things while filming. Understandable, but I agree that especially for her new beginner/intermidiate DVDs that this is a very important thing to consider.

Wendy
 
I agree with the other posters. It is especially important to use the correct terminology in the beginner intermediate workout.
 
>(I'm getting out my vegan marshmallows and tofu hotdogs in
>case any flames appear...but hope there is no need! :-( x( )

Heck, I'll just stand by to get warm if flames appear! Its so darn cold right now, I could use a little flaming.

Sorry, I just had to say it being in a sarcastic mood today!
 
I am obviously not "in the know" but would like to know why this matters...set vs. rep? Seriously asking. Thanks!:7
 
same reason why it's important to know the difference between your hand and your fingers. :) This is my attempt at humor.

In all seriousness, a set is a group of successive repetitions performed without resting. A rep or repetition is the number of times you repeat the move in each set. Therefore, if your instructions were to do 3 sets of 12 (3 x 12) biceps curls, you would curl the weight 12 times in a row to complete the first set. Then you’d put the weight down, rest a moment and do 12 more in a row to complete the second set, and so on until you’ve finished the prescribed number of sets for that exercise.
 
>same reason why it's important to know the difference between
>your hand and your fingers. :)

Maybe that's why, when people ask me for " a hand",they get upset when I give them " the finger" ? Ya think?}(
 
I have heard Cathe and others refer to compound moves as sets. For example, those shoulder moves on the ball where you start with a front raise, then bring the arms back even with the shoulders and then lower the weight, then reverse the whole move: I wonder if those are sets within a set? For all the thousands of words we have in English, it's amazing how many have more than one meaning. I do agree that a single move, e.g. biceps curl, should be a rep, and the whole group of them a set.

--Ann
 
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