One or two sessions ago, James, my California Fitness trainer, introduced me to drop sets.

If you check it out online, its definition varies slightly, the most common one meaning you decrease your load while increasing your number of reps. For example: 8 reps @ 30lbs, 10 reps @ 25lbs, 15 reps @20lbs. Each of these sets of reps must be done with little to no rest in between.

The benefits also vary: Some sites say it builds muscle but does little for endurance, others say that it builds endurance, i.e. lactic-acid tolerance.

James had me doing 20 reps X 3, starting with a load heavier than what I’m used to, with decrements on the 2^nd and 3^rd sets. 20 reps. And only a few seconds’ break in between. I daresay I was building endurance, not bulk. For bulk, you usually do fewer reps, like 8-10, with a load that is close to or at your maximum potential (I think!).

The burn is insane, and even though by the last set you’re doing pansy weights, you feel like you’re lifting a heavier weight than what you started with. I hate grunters in the gym (it just sounds vulgar and seems show-offy) but I think I let more than a few escape. (I was also thinking, if anyone strolled by at the last set and saw me squealing like piglet at just 10lbs, I would have looked pretty wimpy, ha ha.)

And of all the exercises I did these drop sets on, it had to be at the two that make me feel like hurling and pooing respectively – leg extensions and hamstring curls.

I suppose this will be especially beneficial for those long uphill climbs on my bike though. Can’t wait to go see if all this gym work has helped…!