Guides

Keep real rest periods in a short workout

Count the complete block and remove unstarted work instead of compressing every rest period.

The decision

A 20-minute workout should contain fewer complete blocks, not the same list performed with systematically rushed rest.

A practical sequence

Three steps that keep the decision honest

  1. Count setup and transition time before the first set.
  2. Reserve rest between sets according to the selected movement.
  3. Stop adding blocks once the real time budget is full.
When this changes

Circuit-style conditioning can intentionally use shorter recovery, but it is a different training decision from strength work with planned rest.

Editorial owner: Yann Lephay.

Updated: 4 September 2026.