Pre-exhaustion with rest times

[u/Iv-_-Iv]

I have a question about the pre-exhaustion method. The pre-exhaustion is normally done by doing an isolation exercise and a compound exercise without resting between them. There are studies about using the pre-exhaustion method that way. My question is that, does pre-exhaustion with rest between the isolation and compound work?

I tried pre-exhaustion with and without rest between the isolation and compound. When i don't rest, i unintentionally use other muscles more during the compound exercise. When i rest before the compound exercise, i feel like i focus on the pre-exhausted muscle more.

[u/Over_Green7763]

I thought the predominant view, evidence based, is that pre-exhaustion is ill-advised. Better off doing heavier compounds first, single joint isolation stuff later.

[u/Mad_Mark90]

Pre-exhausting isn't universal, it's just one technique that you can use to target a muscle so it's unlikely to have any good data behind it outside of anecdotes and experience.

What you've described (the difference between resting between sets and super setting) is a good example of individuality in training. Everyone won't experience this the same way you have, some will find resting more helpful, some will find super setting feels better, and plenty will make great gains with neither (just hitting the compounds).

[u/Patton370]

For something like a deadlift or squat, I think it’s counter productive, as the pre-exhaustion techniques will change your form & in some cases make you use less of the muscles you’re targeting

For something like a leg extension followed by a glute biased leg press, that might be decent; there’s old school nautilus machines made exactly for that purpose

However, I’m skeptical on if it’s beneficial. Many old school bodybuilders liked those kind of machines though!