Shorter rest between sets isn't always more effective
Cutting rest between sets to 'make the workout more intense' and burn more calories sounds logical, but for strength and muscle growth the effect often runs the opposite way. Short rest (30–60 seconds) doesn't let muscles and the nervous system fully recover between sets, so each following set ends up done with less weight or fewer quality reps compared to longer rest periods.
Studies comparing short (1 minute) and long (3–5 minute) rest periods at the same number of sets more often find greater long-term strength and muscle gains with longer rest — total quality work volume across the session ends up higher, even accounting for the whole workout taking more time.
Short rest genuinely makes sense for other goals — bodybuilding-style metabolic stress on final sets, or simply saving time when a quick workout is the priority over maximal strength output. But if the main goal is strength and muscle size on heavy compound lifts, 2–3 minutes of rest between working sets usually pays off in better overall session quality.