warm up sets each workout or each exercise?

[Terrymundo]

currently iv been doing 2 warm up sets on each exercise and find its a good way to judge strength on the day and estimate what weight to use for working sets but his seems to waste alot of time and make it harder to hold on to a good pump. I also start each workout with stretches for target muscle groups.

what do you do? why?

[crazyfacials]

pretty much the same

eg bench will do the bar a few times (maybe around 10-20) then do 60% of my working set after that for 5-8 reps.... but won't do anymore chest warmup, after chest is done and I do another muscle group (atm biceps) i do 1 warmup set and then go on about doing my workout... it's something i picked up from one of the trainers at my gym that I think is a good idea

[thatwaslight]

currently iv been doing 2 warm up sets on each exercise and find its a good way to judge strength on the day and estimate what weight to use for working sets but his seems to waste alot of time and make it harder to hold on to a good pump. I also start each workout with stretches for target muscle groups.

what do you do? why?

Stretching makes you weaker before lifting.

[Terrymundo]

currently iv been doing 2 warm up sets on each exercise and find its a good way to judge strength on the day and estimate what weight to use for working sets but his seems to waste alot of time and make it harder to hold on to a good pump. I also start each workout with stretches for target muscle groups.

what do you do? why?

Stretching makes you weaker before lifting.

really? thought pulling a muscle would too.

[lemon]

For big muscle groups I do 2 sets of warm ups. Except legs Ill do a couple mins on on the cross trainer also.

small muscle groups or isolated muscles just 1 w/u set is sufficient for me.

I dont do stretching as like thatwaslight said it weakens you and I want to lift as much as I can. I find my warm ups are sufficient enough to prevent me from pulling a muscle. I should be stretching afterwards though but im too lazy

[I Declare War]

I always work into my working weight on every exercise I do. It doesn't take long to do and it helps to avoid injury.

[tinytraps]

I think a warm up should prime you for your top sets but not tire you out for them. Although the lighter weights do well to add volume I want to be primed for the top sets so I can put as much effort into them as possible.

[Nicolas]

Stretching makes you weaker before lifting.

Depends what type of stretch you invoke on the muscle, as to whether it diminishes your strength capability.

really? thought pulling a muscle would too.

Your warm-up sets at lighter loads would be sufficient. Stretching pre-workout won't necessarily reduce muscle strain probability. Even the most well prepared muscle can fail to contract uniformly.