1 set to fatigue

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illustr8

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What are your thoughts on programs that use just 1 set of 12-15 to fatigue to get a overall workout in half the time?
 
If that's all you have time for, by all means do it. Remember any exercise is better than no exercise. Most people find they make some progress on that kind of workout for some period and then reach a plateau, which is not all bad. At least you are not going backwards. If you are pressed for time, there are other short whole body workouts you can do, like circuit training. Or you can just do one body part per day and keep the number of sets low to keep the workout time down. Just try to choose the most effective exercises. Most people could make pretty good progress doing 2 lower body (1 quad/1 hamstring) and 2 upper body (1 pushing/1 pulling) exercises 3 times a week for 2 sets of 12-15 each. That should take no more than 15 minutes with a 1 minute rest between sets.
 
I tried doing 1 set of several arm and shoulder exercises. My arms felt like jello, but they weren't sore the next day. I was really surprised.
I'm looking for a 3 or 4 day routine. What exercises on what days would you recommend for a total body workout for a working Mom?
 
Several researches support the use of 1 set for beginners...It also has the advantage of making for shorter workouts which, with beginners, may be the key to long term adherence. There indeed is a time frame during which people will benefit from this, but I personally think it is a very small window (ie, they will reach a plateau fairly quickly). So, yes for beginners (for a short period of anatomical adaptation) and no for more advanced trainees...
That's my take ;)
 
Some studies and training schools of thought support one set to fatigue workouts. Brian Grasso posted this last september... This thread is an interesting read about this topic.

Personally, when starting new clients, if they are complete beginners in poor condition I will only take them through one set per muscle group in a full body workout. For more advanced clients I don't generally favor doing this type of training though. I am with Mogwai on this.
 
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