30 Seconds SummaryResearch Spotlight: Do people prefer being told what to do in the gym?
- Autoregulation using reps in reserve (RIR) may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who struggle to estimate their remaining reps accurately.
- A study involving 20 women with Pilates experience but new to resistance training compared feelings towards a predetermined training prescription and an RIR-based approach during workouts.
- Exercises included leg press, knee extensions, pull-downs, and machine chest press, with participants rating their feelings before and after each set using the Feeling Scale.
- Participants slightly preferred the predetermined training method over the RIR-based method, with average Feeling Scale scores of 3.29 and 3.01 respectively.
- Individual responses varied, with some participants performing differently under the two training conditions, indicating a preference based on their personal experience and comfort with each method.
- Both training prescriptions were generally enjoyed, but tailored approaches may be needed to accommodate individual preferences or capabilities in assessing reps in reserve.
Stronger By Science
Greg Nuckols
