Fatigue during training

[Tao]

Hey Mark,

I do overhead presses on the same days as my bench, usually the bench is first. After completing one exercise, my arms/chest feel wrecked and my other exercise suffers as a result. I usually have to end up waiting ten-fifteen minute in between exercises, and 5-10 minutes in between sets to get all my reps. Does this type of time lag in between sets/exercises negatively affect strength gains?

Thanks.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Have you read PPST2?

[Tao]

Yes. Rest as long as you need to without getting cold, but does your recovery come at the cost of any gains?

[Mark Rippetoe]

What aspect of the work produces the gains? The work or the rest?

[Tao]

Gotcha. That's reassuring to hear. Now I don't feel guilty about the long pauses between sets.

Thanks, sensei.