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FREESTYLE GIANT SET A training system that eschews preplanning. Exercises, sets, reps, and techniques are selected on the go in response to how your muscles are responding. A freestyle workout may also incorporate unique exercises and cardio segments and hit diverse body parts. Reason: You can alter your workout from set to set and place no limits on what you may do to up intensity and shock your muscles. Sets of four or more exercises performed without rest. Example: military press, dumbbell side lateral, dumbbell front raise, and dumbbell rear lateral—all done in rotation without rest between exercises but with a normal rest after each such giant set. Reason: Reduces the time and increases the intensity of a workout. FORCED REPS A spotter lifts up on the weight to remove just enough stress to keep a set going when it would otherwise fail. Example: After failing at eight reps on a set of incline presses, a spotter lifts up on the barbell just enough for three additional reps at the same pace. Reason: If you have a spotter, this is one of the most effective ways to keep a set going beyond where it would normally end. Partial reps performed after reaching full-rep failure. These have a longer range of motion than burns. Example: An additional six half-reps of shoulder presses (from the low point to approximately halfway up) after doing eight full reps and failing to lock out a ninth rep. Reason: Just because you can’t move the weight through the entire range of motion doesn’t mean you can’t still stimulate the targeted muscles. In the preceding example, the lockout of shoulder presses is done largely with triceps strength. You’re still working the delts by pressing up only halfway. FLEXONLINE.COM 115