FT Questions....

[Scott Stevenson]

If someone has to keep the blood pressure from being too elevated, are there some FT set types that would be preferred over others? I imagine the answer would be pump > MR > loading in general but I could also see it depending on the exercise.

For example I would think (but am not certain) one's blood pressure would go up more from a gut-wrenching 25 rep pump set of smith squats than it would with a 6RM set of smith squats.

The following will increase BP responses to resistance exercise:

Load employed
Extent of effort.
Amount of muscle mass engaged.
Breathing pattern (whether there's a Valsalva is a big part of this).

I can't say I've seen a comparison if a 6RM vs. 25RM in terms of BP, but the rise at the end might be similar b/c the load for the 6RM would be greater than for the 25RM.

I know why you're asking this, man, so this is not exercise advice in the least, but using a lesser muscle mass at a time (e.g., by doing more isolation and unilateral movements) would be a way to limit BP responses.

-S