When doing strenuous exercise such as weightlifting, it seems to help to call out the number of repetitions. Why?
Penny Jackson
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK
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When doing strength training, I was taught that it is important to breathe (presumably in order to ensure the muscles are getting a good supply of oxygen). Talking is a good way of forcing yourself to breathe. Talking about something else may cause you to lose count of the number of repetitions, so counting them out loud is ideal.
If you have never done that sort of strenuous exercise, the idea of forgetting to breathe may sound surprising, but it does seem to be a problem.
Arvind Joshi
Mumbai, India
There appear to be many advantages to calling out the number of repetitions during exercise: it keeps the mind occupied, serves as positive feedback to motivate a person to reach their target number of repetitions and gives a sort of rhythm to the exercise.
But the greatest advantage is that it helps avoid a common problem experienced by people during strenuous exercise: the tendency to hold breath during exertion, which results in reduced blood supply to the body.
Oliver Arditi
Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk, UK
For me, shouting out the number of repetitions helps because, if I don鈥檛, I forget how many reps I have done, compelling me to continue indefinitely.
David Muir
Edinburgh, UK
When you forcibly exhale, you actively contract the muscles of the abdominal wall. This increases engagement of your core muscles, and a tight core equates to more power and stability in strength training. By calling out the number of exercise repetitions, this effect can be achieved without consciously thinking about it.
Don鈥檛 be too loud, though, as other gym users may be irritated.
Simon Dales
Oxford, UK
Counting a known number of repetitions has two benefits: regulation and psychology.
When weightlifting, the higher the load, the fewer the reps that can be done 鈥� but each one should be the same. Knowing the number helps regulate power.
Counting yourself maintains agency, which is psychologically easier than if the count is 鈥渋nflicted鈥� by someone else.
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