A training technique involving two exercises performed back-to-back with no rest between them, typically targeting opposing muscle groups or the same muscle group for increased intensity. This method saves time while maintaining or increasing training volume.
A compound word combining 'super' (above/beyond) and 'set' (a group of repetitions), coined in bodybuilding culture in the mid-20th century to describe this advanced training technique. The 'super' prefix indicates it's beyond a normal set in terms of intensity and complexity.
Supersets can cut workout time in half while actually increasing muscle growth by creating greater metabolic stress and keeping muscles under tension longer than traditional straight sets. Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized antagonist supersets (like biceps and triceps) which allow one muscle to recover while the other works, enabling higher training volumes.
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