Why Doing as Many Reps as Possible Will Yield the Best Results
Could using time as a measure of progression instead of reps lead to more muscle gains? It is very possible that it does. When measuring workouts by reps it does not encourage you to place your muscles under stress for a maximum amount of time, it can lead to improper form if you have a certain number you must get to, and if you fail to complete your set it could lead to a decrease in confidence.
This is not to say training with reps is ineffective, but switching up a few exercises from reps to time could push your limits and, in turn, increase your muscle gains and fat loss.
It works no matter your fitness level
The time it takes to complete a certain number of reps varies greatly among different people. For example, one person may finish a certain number of reps in 10 seconds while it could take another person 30 seconds to finish the same amount. As that is such a large variance in time, asking each person to perform as many reps, in good form, for 30 or 40 seconds, would benefit both people. The first person’s rep count would increase, causing their muscles to work harder and the second person, even though they are working at a slower pace, is keeping their body under consistent stress, working their muscles just as hard for the abilities they have.
Focus on the form
Doing exercises in the proper form is essential for building the right muscles and not getting injuries. Whether you are new to fitness or a seasoned lifter, you may sacrifice form to squeeze out the last couple of reps. For example, when asking someone new to fitness or a certain exercise to complete a certain number of reps, performing every rep may supersede form. If you are unsure about the correct form of an exercise, you should ask a fitness professional, like a personal trainer.
It can give you a confidence boost
We need to spend more time celebrating our personal records. Many times you could attempt to complete a certain amount of reps and come up even just one short, which can result in a feeling of failure. If you do as many reps as you can in a set time period, it will allow you a benchmark you can keep track of, so the next time you do the exercise you can see how you have improved. Even that small amount of positivity can give you the boost you need to keep up with your fitness routine.