Free tool
Rest timer
A simple full-screen countdown for the rest between sets. Set the seconds, press start and it beeps when you are ready to lift again. Nothing to install and no sign up.
Common rests: 60 to 90 seconds for lighter sets, 2 to 3 minutes for heavy lifts.
Want a rest timer built into your workout?
The free Interval Timer app runs rests between every step, reads them out loud and casts to the big screen, so you never touch your phone mid-set.
How long should you rest between sets?
It depends on the lift and the goal. For heavy strength work, two to three minutes lets you repeat the same weight with good form. For hypertrophy in the 8 to 12 rep range, 60 to 90 seconds is common. For light accessory or conditioning work, 30 to 60 seconds keeps the pace up. When in doubt, rest until your breathing settles and the last set no longer feels close.
Why a rest timer helps
Left to feel, rest either creeps up while you scroll your phone or gets cut short when you are impatient. A fixed timer keeps your sessions honest and repeatable, which is what lets you compare one week to the next. Set it once and it takes the decision off your plate.
How to use it
Finish your set, set the seconds and press start. The screen counts down full-screen with a beep near the end, so you can put the phone down and get ready. Press space to pause if you need a moment. It remembers nothing between sets, so set the length each time to match the lift.
Common questions
How long should I rest between sets?
Two to three minutes for heavy strength work, 60 to 90 seconds for 8 to 12 rep sets, and 30 to 60 seconds for light accessory work.
Does resting longer build more muscle?
Longer rests let you lift more weight for more reps, which helps. Very short rests raise the burn but cut your total quality work, so do not rush the big lifts.
Should rest be the same for every exercise?
No. Rest longer on heavy compound lifts like squats and deadlifts, and less on small isolation moves. Match the rest to how hard the set taxed you.
Can I use this as a general countdown?
Yes. It is a plain seconds countdown, so it works for anything you want timed, not only lifting rests.