How long you rest between sets of weight training exercises can have an impact on how much you’re able to lift. There’s a similar correlation with work capacity during CrossFit style workouts. According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, what you do during that rest interval can also make a difference.

Five male and 10 female volunteers participated in a varied workout involving both strength and endurance exercise. On 3 separate occasions, subjects rested by lying on the floor, sitting on a bench or walking on a treadmill. Both passive rest strategies (lying and sitting) significantly improved exercise work rate and physiological recovery.