For advanced trainees who may be hitting a plateau, cluster sets are a technique that allows us to work with heavier weights or more volume than we normally could. This helps us place new demands on our muscles and has the potential to get us past our plateau. During a cluster set you break up your reps into clusters and take short breaks in between them. So instead of doing a set of 6 reps, your could do three clusters of 2 reps with 30 seconds between them. At the end of the cluster set, you end up doing the same amount of reps: 6.
The biggest advantage to cluster sets is that they allow you to move heavier weights, which results in more strength gain and/or more muscle mass added. Let's think about this rationally:
Imagine I ask you to squat a certain weight. You get under the bar and manage to get 6 reps. By the 6th rep you are completely done, you could not do another rep. We then add a little bit more weight on the bar. You know for sure you wouldn't be able to do 6 reps at that weight, so we do a cluster set. You get under the bar, do 2 reps and then put the bar down. After taking 30 seconds, you do another 2 reps. Take another 30 seconds break, and then do your final 2 reps. And voila! That's 6 reps at a heavier weight.
Cluster sets can be used for strength or for hypertrophy depending on your rep scheme. You could do clusters of 3-3-3-3 or 4-4-4 for hypertrophy, as long as the total reps are in the 8-15 range. For strength you can do clusters of 1-1-1-1 or 2-2-2 or any combinations as long as the rep range stays in the 2-6 rep range.
There are many, many combinations of clusters out there and I will outline a few popular ones at the end of this article.
The only limitation (in my eyes) for cluster sets is how long they take. Doing a normal set of 6 reps take no longer than 30 seconds. A 2-2-2 cluster is going to take at least 90 seconds, three times as long. When you plan on doing them, just plan for a little bit more time in the gym.
Who should do them
Cluster sets are an advanced technique to put on strength and size. If you are new to the gym I recommend you find your 5 rep max on a lift with a linear progression first and then go through at least two volume-strength cycle. That should take a least a year.
If you've worked out for 2+ years, are confident with your form and have already experienced with volume and strength phases, then go ahead and give the clusters a try.
When should you do them?
You can program your cluster sets according to their goal, so strength cluster go in your strength phases and hypertrophy clusters go in your volume phases.
Since they allow you to lift heavier weights, putting them at the end of a strength phase and beginning of a volume phase makes the most sense in my eyes.
Warning note: Cluster sets will fatigue your central nervous system a LOT. You need to be careful not to over do them and for that reason only do them for 2-4 weeks at a time. I recommend taking a deload week after your cluster set program.
What exercises should you use?
All of them.
You will see below that you can arrange your cluster sets many different ways and you can find something that work for every exercise.
How many cluster sets per workout?
Your programming and workout split will be the first determinant of this. You won't be doing the same cluster set workouts if you are working out 5 days per week vs 3 days per week. At the beginning, start by only doing two exercises as cluster sets and then see how you react. Remember that these are pretty taxing on the central nervous system so take your time implementing them in your routine.
Example workout:
Back squats: 4 cluster sets
Pull ups: 4 cluster sets
Incline bench press: 4 normal sets
Hamstring curls: 4 normal sets
Popular clusters
Note: All cluster sets are meant to be done with proper form. If you ever feel your form deteriorating, pick a lighter weight or stop the exercise. Don't be a gains goblin.
Note 2: know when you reach technical failure vs total failure. Technical failure is when you cannot do a rep with proper form anymore. Total failure is when your muscles muscles don't fire anymore due to fatigue. In more novice lifters, technical failure will come first and you must always stop when you reach that point. "Pushing through" bad reps is not a good idea. The more experienced you become, the closer technical failure and total failure will get.
The classic 1-1-1-1-1
This is the OG cluster set. Your perform 5 reps with 15-20 seconds break between each rep. Take a long break 3-5 min and repeat for more 3-4 more sets. You typically use a load around 90% of your 1 rep max for this.
The 2-2-2-2
My personal favourite. Do 8 reps with 15-20 seconds break between every other rep. Rest and repeat for 4 sets total. Use a weight that's around your 5RM for this.
The 6 x 4
Pick a weight you can do 10-12 reps with. Do 6 clusters of 4 reps with 10 seconds in between each rep. Fantastic for hypertrophy.
The 5 for 5
Another great one for hypertrophy: Pick a weight you can do for 12-15 reps. Do 5 reps and then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat for 5 minutes straight! So for a whole 5 minutes you are doing 5 reps and then taking 15 seconds in between.
If you burn out, or can't do 5 reps, just do 4 or 3 reps instead.
The classic rest pause method
Do set to failure (anywhere between 6-15 reps) then take 30 seconds break. Go to failure again then take another 30 seconds. Then go to failure on more time.
Here what that may look like:
Rest pause set
8 reps - 30 seconds break
2-3 reps - 30 seconds break
1 rep
The 5 to 8 method
Pick your 5 RM. Do 5 reps and then weight 15 seconds. Then do another rep. Wait 15 seconds. Do another rep. Wait 15 seconds and then do a final rep.
At the end of this set you will have done 8 reps with your 5Rm
Conclusion
Cluster sets are a great way to bust through plateaus. Before you start using them, make sure you actually reached a plateau because they are a more advanced technique.
You can organize your cluster sets in many different ways, so take the time to see which one works best for you and the exercises that you are doing.
These will fatigue you more than regular sets so make sure you are programming enough rest in your plan.
Happy training,
Clem
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