Superset workouts?... and, If So, What Are the Advantages?

Question: Is it wise to include supersets in my workouts and, if so, what are the advantages?

Answer: Supersets involve performing two exercises back to back with little or no rest in between. And if you’re looking to change up your workouts a bit, they’re definitely worth a try. There are numerous superset variations, but the most common types would be same muscle supersetting or antagonistic supersetting. As the name implies, same muscle supersetting incorporates two different exercises for the same muscle group.

For example, one set of dumbbell chest presses could be followed by barbell incline press. Antagonistic supersetting involves opposing muscle groups, so you might combine biceps curls with triceps extensions, again with no rest in between sets. No matter what type of supersetting you engage in, there are three obvious advantages to utilizing this method of training.

First of all, doing supersets saves time, which is clearly advantageous when people want to get in and get out. It also allows an individual to train at a higher intensity, which can produce better results in the long run. And lastly, because supersetting allows for increased workout intensity without using very heavy weights, the likelihood of injury decreases significantly. Give ‘em a try and see what you think! 

About the author: Grant Pritchard is the club owner at Anytime Fitness in Buckley & Orting.