04/21/2026
Rest between sets matters.
And like most things in fitness… it depends.
A lot of people either rush their rest because they want to “keep the workout moving,” or they sit around way too long scrolling their phone and losing momentum.
💯The truth?
Your rest should match the exercise, the effort, and your current fitness level.
In most cases, most people do not need 3–5 minutes of rest between sets unless they are lifting very heavy, doing big compound movements, or training more like a powerlifter.
For most 🏋️♀️ workouts, 1–2 minutes is plenty.
Here’s a simple way to think about it👇
👉If you just finished a hard set of squats, deadlifts, RDLs, or another big full-body lift, you may need closer to 2 minutes.
👉If you just did a set of curls, lateral raises, or another smaller movement, you probably do not need that long.
A better 😘 approach is personalized rest👇
👉If you are still breathing hard, take more time.
👉If the muscle you just trained still feels smoked, take more time.
👉If your grip, lower back, or other supporting muscles still feel fatigued, take more time.
👉If you have another tough set coming up and you mentally feel like “absolutely not yet,” take a little more time.
On the flip🙃side...
If you feel fully recovered, your breathing is under control, and the muscle is ready to go, you do not need to drag the workout out longer than necessary.
🧘♀️Bonus tip:
Use active recovery.
Instead of sitting there like a statue between sets, stand up, walk around, shake things out, reset, and get ready for the next round.
Rest is not lazy.
Rest helps you perform better.
But too much rest when you do not need it?
That can turn a solid workout into a 2-hour field trip and we don't have time for that.