Some thoughts and discussions from me.
The 1,000 Reps Workout Debate
Good morning! 
I’m a little late in posting this morning because I went to another sunrise hot yoga class. Thankfully, this time there wasn’t a flu-stricken yogini parked right next to my mat, and it was a really great practice.
Now, when I say it was a great practice, I certainly don’t mean that I was able to pull off tripod, crow pose, or even standing lotus. That’s not how I measure the success of a yoga class. What I consider a great practice is one where I work as hard as I feel I need to at that moment, letting my mind venture only to the poses and my breath, and completely shutting out the outside world for that 90 minutes that I’m in class. I was able to do that today. Hooray!
But once I did enter the outside world again, I was pretty ravenous for some breakfast!
Guys, I have a problem. A coconut butter problem. I’m obsessed with slathering it on everything – namely my pumpkin pancakes. And I when I say slathering, I don’t mean a measly tablespoon. Oh, no. Pour the good stuff ON it!
I’ve gone through 2 jars since I’ve moved here…which is 3 weeks ago.
I also may or may not have gotten into the habit of grabbing a spoon, walking to the pantry, and scooping it directly to the face.
Efficiency, people. Efficiency.
I also may or may have not ordered four (4) jars last night when I realized I had only but one (Paige-sized, ahem) serving left in the pantry:
I also got a single serving packet of some other junk…only because shipping was free once ya passed the magical $49 amount. Donezo!
So, I had originally planned on giving you all a PCOS update, and inform you on my plan o’ action after visiting my naturopath. But, if I’m being completely honest (which is something I strive for!) I just didn’t feel like getting that heavy this morning. I’m excited about the plan and all, but when I woke up this morning, I felt like talking to you guys about fitness instead of PCOS. We’ll save the PCOS update for Monday. Sound good?
Good.
1,000 Reps Workout Debate
So, when I write out my workout programs for my clients, I do so in a manner where the client can measure and track their progress and success. I can’t stand workout programs that are all over the place. It drives me batty. (It also may be the one major reason I haven’t tried crossfit yet. But that’s another post. I totally should not judge cross fit at all – simply because I’ve never tried it.)
The other day I was browsing through ACE certified news through the IDEA Fitness Journal, and came across a conversation of whether those 1,000 Reps Workout Challenges were productive or not. It’s actually one of the more trendy workouts that have been flooding Pinterest lately. You’ve seen them too, right?
Basically, in my opinion and experience, they’re not only unnecessary, but their also counterproductive. It surpasses the threshold for “endurance resistance training” – which I get, I really do. I do write endurance programs for my clients’ resistance training, but when I do, I prescribe is usually 15. Fifteen! Not 50. Not 100. And never 1,000.
Let me pause for a moment to say that I really do get the appeal. It’s hard core. It’s a challenge. It’s grueling. It sounds unattainable! But my friends, I’m in the camp that says doing 1,000 reps of various squats is not the most effective use of your time 
Now, let me also say that it’s not the inefficiency of these workouts that bothers me most. What bothers me; what really worries me is that these outrageously high reps workouts can also lead to overuse injuries. Have you ever done 1,000 of the same plyometric exercise in a row? Yeah, you’re NOT going to feel good the next few days. And I’m not talking the sore-but-good type of pain. Even if you know how to do the exercises properly and with perfect form, chances are around 200 or 300, fatigue will start to kick in and your form will seriously suffer.
Sorry guys – that turned into a bit of a rant there at the end. And I was trying to keep things light around here! Ah well.
What do you think about the 1,000 Reps Workouts trend?
As someone just coming back to the weights, the thought of doing 1,000 reps of anything makes me cramp up! I mean, really, if you can do that many of an exercise, doesn’t that mean your weight is too light?
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Awesome post, it’s nice to hear the fitness professional’s take on topics like that. I’m in agreement, I’ve been seeing this trend on blogs and Pinterest, not loving the potential injuries that may be associated with reps this high. Also, high rep workouts may not even compliment your fitness goals, so it might be counterproductive in that way as well. Thanks again Paige, have a good one!
I’m with you completely…risk for injury is going to be big here. I think it’s important to get muscle fatigue, but not exhaustion to the point of not being able to walk the next day!
I haven’t tried coconut butter yet and I think the addiction part is a big one for why. I’ve been eating my peanut butter with coconut oil and it is a HUGE obsession right now. It’s so velvety, smooth, rich and creamy! You are really making it hard for me not to order some!
I hope you have an incredible weekend!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Friday Fodder – Things I Learned From Running…
Couldn’t agree more! 1,000 reps of anything doesn’t sound fun. I’ve never tried coconut butter, but it seems to be popular among the bloggers 🙂
1,000 reps really is crazy! I’m all about less is more 🙂
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Your coconut butter problem? I have the same problem with pumpkin lately. Its a wonder my skin isn’t turned orange. I can’t get enough of it!
Thank you! I love your outlook on workouts! I totally agree that 1000 reps just seems unnecessary especially of the same movement. It sometimes worries me that people are trying to “imitate” crossfit wods but that is never how they are structured. I do crossfit and we never come close to 1000 reps of anything in a workout! and yes coconut butter is delicious and I don’t think it’s possible to eat just a tablespoon at a time!
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well, you know i LOVE my 100 legs workout…but other than that i don’t do a lot of workouts with tons of reps anymore, especially since i started crossfit.
Lindsay (@LeanGrnBeanBlog) recently posted…Fitness Friday 42
I agree as well.. not a fan of the 1000 reps thing. It doesn’t even sound FUN and for me fitness is all about having fun while you’re doing it. Which is also why I love crossfit so much! …And why I have to comment on what you said about crossfit “being all over the place”. Yes, we do move from one ‘move’ to the next quickly but its done so with proper programming in mind. (This is also where “crossfit style” workouts bug me). Properly programmed crossfit is not jsut random moves thrown together for the hell of it. And we also do “benchmark WODS” to track out progresses and successes. I know there will always be controversy when it comes to crossfit and its not for everyone but that’s just my $0.02.. 🙂
You’re right, Leila. You know, I’ve never even tried crossfit before. I should leave my judgements about it out of it!
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on crossfit before and after you’ve tried it though!!
totally totally agree! harmful in some cases!!
I really need to find some coconut butter. I’ve never tried it before!
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Laughing out loud that we have basically had the same things in our past Friday posts! Also funny, because I just received my iherb order in which I also ordered 4 jars of coconut butter! Too funny. Great point on the 1000 rep challenges! I admit, I used to be a sucker for them but 1000 reps of one thing could definitely lead to injury/harm and that’s not good at all!
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I had not heard of the 1,000 rep trend- but it sounds RIDICULOUS to me. 15 is typcially my prescribed number of reps in a set too- sometimes 10, 12 or 20, depending on the exercise. But never, EVER 1,000. That is CRAZY.
I get you on the coconut butter obsession! I’ve been known to stab it with a knife to break it into chunks… but once broke RIGHT through the jar and cut my hand when doing that. Lesson learned. I only use a fork now.
Coconut butter is addicting!
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I’ve heard so many good things about coconut butter…I need to try it! Glad yoga was a success. It seems like there are so many extreme workouts going on right now. Craziness
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ive don’t the 1000 rep workout once. it was pure cardio. LOL! not really useful for strength, agreed. p.s. Make your own coconut butter! I bet you can.
😉
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The mere thought of counting to 1,000 makes me want to become a life long couch potato! I don’t care if its 50 at a time, that sounds horrible! I know nothing about the actual science side of it but it doesn’t sound very useful. Now I at least have the word of a trainer to back up my complete dislike of the concept! 😉
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the 1000 rep workout sounds awful! I feel sore just thinking about it 🙁 I think that for fitness to be really effective it needs to be fun enough that you actually want to do it or else it will just become something you dread. I’m glad you’ve found a good yoga studio! I love starting the day with some yoga!
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I’ve never heard of this, but it sounds stupid! I would much rather do three ball-busting reps than 1000, thank you very much. It sounds very Tracy Anderson-esque…
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I hadn’t heard of the 1,000 workout challenge but I’m already not a fan. I know how my form can fail and especially if you don’t have someone else working out with you to help correct your form, then you may not even realize it or try to keep working through it and end up injuring yourself. It just seems dangerous more than anything.
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WTF! what’s up with my coconut butter and it being all chalky and crumbly! yours is so liquidy and smooth – jealous!
I cheated – I heat up the jar for a few seconds in the micro first 🙂
I don’t get the 1,000 rep thing. I like to make the best use out of my time and I can get a great workout without proving that I can do a million squats. It seems so unnecessary to me unless you are trying to reach a world record for the most (XXX) ever done.
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