Talus · GuideA superset is easy to plan and easy to lose track of. Write it as rounds, give it two rest periods (a short one between exercises and a longer one after each round), and log each set as you finish it. Then you always know where you are, even after an interruption.
Three terms that remove the confusion
- Superset: two or more exercises done back to back.
- Round: one set of each exercise in the superset.
- Two rests: a short transition between exercises, and a full rest after the round.
Most logging mistakes come from mixing up sets and rounds. "Three sets of a superset" means three rounds, so each exercise gets three sets.
A sample upper-body routine
| Group | Exercise | Rounds | Reps | Rest between exercises | Rest after round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superset A | Dumbbell bench press | 3 | 8–10 | 15 s | 90 s |
| Superset A | One-arm dumbbell row | 3 | 10 each side | — | — |
| Superset B | Goblet squat | 3 | 10 | 15 s | 75 s |
| Superset B | Plank | 3 | 30 s | — | — |
- Exercise: Dumbbell bench press
- Rest between exercises: 15 s
- Exercise: One-arm dumbbell row
- Rest after the round: 90 s rest
Repeat for 3 rounds
The rest values are an example starting point, not a prescription. Pair exercises that don't compete for the same muscles or the same piece of equipment, and adjust rest to how you feel.
How to log it without losing your place
- Log each set the moment you finish it, not at the end of the round.
- Start the short rest after exercise one, the long rest after the last exercise in the round.
- Note the round number, not just the set count, so an interruption doesn't leave you guessing.
- Compare with last time per exercise. Your previous numbers for the bench press matter more than the superset as a whole.
When the gym is busy
Supersets need two stations at once, which is hard at 6 p.m. Three fixes, in order of preference:
- Reorder: do Superset B first and come back to A.
- Substitute: swap the row for a cable row if the dumbbells are taken, and record the swap.
- Split it: do the exercises as straight sets for today. Nothing you already logged should be lost.
What matters is that the log reflects what you actually did, so next week's comparison is honest.
How Talus handles supersets
In the Talus routine editor, give exercises the same superset letter to group them. Each group has optional Rounds, Rest between exercises and Rest after each round settings.
During a workout, Talus shows where you are, such as "Superset A · round 2 of 3", and highlights the next exercise. You can Move up or Move down an exercise mid-workout, or Replace exercise with a substitute; the swap is recorded against the planned exercise. Editing the routine later changes new workouts only; past workouts stay as they were.
Talus runs in the browser and can be installed to your home screen. Rest countdowns keep their time if you switch apps, but alerts depend on your browser and device. Training data stays private to you, even in a shared Apollo household.
Talus is $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year, or part of Apollo Suite. Prices are USD, checked October 3, 2026.