A better method for rest periods


We are back today with 2 things for you.

I) Book Club Featuring Triphasic 2

I wanted to let you know about the Strength Pages book club as they are going to feature the Triphasic Training II book coming up.

Check them out at https://samelsner.gumroad.com/l/strengthpages

Note- there is a small fee, but we don't make a dime off it.

2) Question of the day: "How long should my athletes rest between sets?"

It's one of the most common questions we get, and most coaches "out there" are making a critical mistake with their answer.

They're using the same rest period for all their athletes.

There is what we recommend in the Triphasic Training II that takes the guesswork out of rest periods while maximizing each athlete's results.

The Solution:
Use HR based intervals instead of using fixed rest periods, thus you let your athletes' heart rates tell you when they're ready for the next set.

Here's how it works:

For Main Lifts:

  • Have athletes rest until their heart rate hits around 85 bpm
  • This ensures they're recovered enough for high-quality work
  • Some athletes might need 2 minutes, others 4 - and that's okay

For Accessory Work:

  • Use a higher heart rate target (around 110 bpm)
  • Allows for more conditioning effect
  • Keeps training efficient

Why This Works:

  1. Automatically adjusts to each athlete's conditioning level
  2. Prevents stronger athletes from getting bored waiting
  3. Stops weaker athletes from starting too soon
  4. Ensures every set is high quality

Real World Example: Two athletes doing bench press:

  • Athlete A: Recovers to 85 bpm in 2 minutes
  • Athlete B: Takes 3.5 minutes to hit 85 bpm

With fixed rest periods, one athlete is always getting shortchanged. With HR-based rest, both get exactly what they need.

Implementation Tips:

  1. Start with main compound lifts
  2. Use a heart rate monitor or have athletes check pulse
  3. Record recovery times to track improvements
  4. Keep accessory work at higher HR targets

This is a simple method to get better results and have your athletes do higher quality work - which is key.

Let us know what you think!

Dr Mike T (and Cal)

PS -Triphasic 2 is now live on Amazon below in print and Kindle

>> ​​Order Link​ ​<< order here

Here is what Eric had to say about TP2

"A Game-Changer for Every Athlete—and Even My Gen Pop Clients!

After diving into Triphasic Training 2, I’m blown away by the depth and practicality of the new 14 methods introduced. Cal Dietz has taken an already revolutionary system and expanded it into something that’s adaptable not just for elite athletes but for general population clients as well.

The new methods offer incredible versatility, allowing me to tailor training programs to meet a wide variety of goals. Whether it’s managing fatigue through strategic intensity regulation or using wave loading to push past plateaus, these techniques make progress accessible for anyone, regardless of their starting point.

What’s been most exciting is seeing how effective these methods are with my gen pop clients. Incorporating controlled eccentric phases and isometric holds has helped them build strength and stability in ways they’ve never experienced before. They’re feeling more powerful, moving better, and staying motivated by the noticeable results.

The structure of Triphasic Training 2 is a big win for me as a coach. It’s clear, evidence-based, and easy to integrate into any program. The principles are straightforward enough for gen pop clients to understand, which helps build their buy-in and keeps them engaged.

This system has not only refreshed my coaching toolkit but has also made strength training more exciting and accessible for everyone I work with. Triphasic Training 2 is a must-read for coaches, trainers, and anyone looking to elevate their programming." -Eric

Thank you Eric!

>> ​​Order Link​ ​<< order here


Coach Cal Dietz, U of MN
Dr Mike T Nelson
Triphasic Training II: 14 High-Performance Methods to Unlock Elite Athletic Development - out NOW

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