Interrupted workout- What do you do?

Today was supposed to be my biceps and triceps day- I had finished the triceps workout, and was on my third heavy set of barbell curls when I had to stop- My boss called me over the radio with a slight emergency- I still had alternating curls and cable curls to do, but since I was away from the weights for about fifteen minutes, I left my biceps workout unfinished- Was this the smart thing to do? Can you go back to the weights and continue the workout even after that much time has passed? Do you pick up the weight you left off with, or do you have to warm up all over again? Or, is that counterproductive, possibly even dangerous? I was on my lunch hour, by the way, and I have let everyone know they shouldn't call me for anything when I'm on lunch unless it's absolutely necessary- But it does happen once in a while, and I'm curious as to what to do when it happens. I don't want to cheat my body out of a full workout, but at the same time, I don't want to risk injury.

Bail on it...

You may have rested for only 15 mins.. but mentally.. you're probably out of it.. and if you continue on.. you'll be in the stages where your glycogen depleted and wishing you had a nice protein and post-workout shake.

I've had workouts where I'm doing legs.. and I am so exhausted I quit after the leg press. Truthfully, I'm sore as I'd ever be.

I could be wrong in assuming this but it's like food. Can I make up a missed meal? Probably not. Sure I can eat 3000 calories in one sitting but is that the same as eating 5-6 small meals during the day? No.

I'm thinking the same with a miss portion of the workout. Once you kinda quit and are distracted, it's pretty difficult to just get back to it.

Besides, this has only happened once.. or infrequently.. so it's not a big deal. The rest you gave your biceps is gonna make them stronger for support on your back day and even stronger on your next workout.

I've missed entire chest days only to come back 2 weeks later and do just fine.. if not better.. but I didn't miss the rest of my body parts.

My vote is not a big deal.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com