VRT tension and time per rep

[vegetus25]

Hey guys,

I was wondering how long your reps last when using light tension, medium tension and high tension?

Thanks

[Andy62]

I have never really timed them. I tend to do them on a totally instinctive basis. That way I am letting my internal intuitive and instinctive controls guide me on the basis of my prevailing energy level and other internal capabilities. This is one of the great things about VRT and all forms of physiological exercise: you are getting internal feedback concerning optimum time and tension while you are actually performing the exercise.

[jonlclay]

I agree with Gordon, but I do notice that the rep lasts longer the more tension I put on it. Light tension you are simply trying to get maximum range of motion and the speed tends to be somewhat fast. At high/max tension you are almost doing isometrics and I find the rep lasts quite a long time, which is also why you cannot perform many reps as muscle fatigue sets in pretty quickly.

But note, you should always try to be as smooth as possible throughout the range of motion. Don't be jerky or you may hurt/strain a muscle.

I hope this helps.

Jon

[vegetus25]

Thanks guys,

I pretty much go by feel and don't count seconds, but was kind of curious. I read a post by Royce where he said max tension reps would take 8-10 seconds and posts by Douglis where he said his reps take 2-3 seconds and he was using max tension. I suppose they are both using max tension for the speed of the rep performed.

I seem to do better w/ faster reps. I tend to burn out on slower ones. Maybe that would be different if I dropped my training frequency, number of reps performed, or overall volume.

[Andy62]

What Royce is doing is right for Royce and what Douglis is doing is right for Douglis. Even they may vary their tension and hold times depending on what is going on in their lives and in the world around them. Stress, time available for training, employment situtations, traumas such as divorces. and similar situtations are all going to effect you and you should alter your training accordingly. Learn to listen to your internal voice and it will point you in the right direction in your training. More importantly that same ability to direct your thoughts and your energy will expand with practice to give you more control in all aspects of your life. Remember that this form of training has a meditative aspect to it and that in the end all physical strength originates in your mind.

Don't be afraid to experiment to find out what is right for you and to vary your approach as your personal circumstances change.

[MikeNY]

I tried VRT with the Power of Ten, very hard 10 second up and 8 seconds down! Talk about being sore! I preferr doing VRT at the same speed as I lifted weights, and using 85% to 95% tension and that works for me!

[isorez]

Nice thread, and it speaks to the individuality of each of us as well as how it is possible to really intrinsically monitor each of the movements to what we feel we need at that time....and whether you also do the exercises in one direction or in both directions....if you're getting what you want out of the movement...then do it that way. If timing is what you want to do...then do this too....but again, you can 'overdo' it with applying your own tension and don't fool yourself into thinking that you can't. Monitor and rate and record what you do and stick with it for a couple fo weeks so you have an appropriate 'gauge' as to if you are achieving what you want, too...before moving on to another method. Give yourself some time to adapt and realize the benefits.