Drop sets are torturous.

I love them. What does that say about me?

I am a freak. A freak who loves to feel the burn.


I often use drop sets when working on machines. I don’t use many machines when it comes to strength training, with the exception of the lat pulldown and miscellaneous leg machines. It is easy to drop the weight on machines, as long as they are not plate-loaded.

However, when it comes to doing drop sets with dumbbells, I literally throw drop the weight. Working out in the morning provides the benefit of having the gym to myself, so it you are about to go throw some dumbbells around, make sure no one gets hurt.


If you aren’t familiar with drop sets, they simply require the ‘lowering’ of weight, immediately followed by more repetitions with less weight or no weight at all. No rest involved.

Drop sets are a fun way for me to keep my strength training spicy.


Dumbbell Drop Sets for Legs

Walking lunges: 20 reps with 20lb dumbbells, 20 reps with no added weight

Side lunges w/ tap to the floor: 20 reps with 20lb dumbbells, 10 reps with 10lb dumbbells

Squats with stability ball: 15 reps with 25lb dumbbells, 25 reps with no added weight

Stiff-legged deadlifts: 15 reps with 20lb dumbbells, 10 reps with 15lb dumbbells


Have you ever used drop sets in a workout? Love ’em or hate ’em?