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Many programs that I've come across (e.g. 100 push up challenge, 7 weeks to 50 pull-ups, etc.) prescribe a minimum rest time between sets and mention that you can take longer breaks if necessary, but when is it necessary?

For such program, would it be more beneficial to wait as long as I think is needed to perform every rep, or to keep the resting time as close as possible to that which is prescribed and repeat a week if I fail to perform the minimum number of reps, or some other variation of this?

My goal is mainly to achieve as many reps as possible in one go (training for a fitness test).

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Hi @howardh, your question is a little vague. For example, how often would you intend to repeat your exercise if I told to you didn't need rest? Obviously some rest is required, but you're trying to optimize how much. Well that depends on how fit you are, what kind of workouts you do right now and what your goals are. So please add a bit more context, so we can help you better! – Ivo Flipse♦ Feb 22 at 9:20
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worldfitnessnetwork.com/rest-between-sets - I believe that this will answer most of your questions. You also could check out other rest-time related questions on this site. If I find the time for it, ill try to forge an answer for you from these sources – K.L. Feb 22 at 11:36
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Starting Strength does not prescribe a specific rest period between sets. He says it depends on your level of strength, and gives examples ranging from 1 minute to more than 10 minutes. Also, what specific program are you doing? 100 push-ups? Or Starting Strength? – Kate Feb 22 at 16:41
@IvoFlipse How should I quantify fitness? In terms of number of reps I can perform right now? – howardh Feb 25 at 5:47
@Kate I'm following the 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups program. I was originally hoping for a more general answer on how much rest I need depending on what I'm training for, but I guess that made the question a bit too vague. – howardh Feb 25 at 5:47
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I think its not completing the specific number of reps you are prescribed to do. The main goal here is to do the reps to failure with provided rest time. This helps in giving the much needed shock to your muscle and help your muscle to grow stronger.

So it doesn't count if you do 100 reps with long rest time. Do reps till failure.

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