Lifting - Reps/sets etc
Apr 10, 2012 | 06:19 AM
#12
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 624
For just strength I only do 3-4 reps and 5 sets, between al sets 2+min rest.
Not something you can do much more than once a week. But it works it you want to max out for a bench contest a few weeks later or something.
Building muscle you can do drop sets now an then, no rest in between and start with lets say: 250 pounds, maybe you get 8-10 reps, then 50 off and go on right away, then again 50 off etcetc untill only the bar is left and even that is too heavy to lift once..
Not something you can do much more than once a week. But it works it you want to max out for a bench contest a few weeks later or something.
Building muscle you can do drop sets now an then, no rest in between and start with lets say: 250 pounds, maybe you get 8-10 reps, then 50 off and go on right away, then again 50 off etcetc untill only the bar is left and even that is too heavy to lift once..
Apr 10, 2012 | 08:34 AM
#13
Yea, boobs never hurt.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,979
From: Live Free or Die
I vary reps depending on a lot of things, they range from 3 to 20
I also do more than just 3 sets if the reps are low. 
Apr 10, 2012 | 08:47 AM
#16
Nutcrusher
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,272
From: Sweden
For building strength I do two drop set variants, each 4 sets
8 6 6 4
5 3 2 2
Each time I go up in weight.
The sets of 8, 6, 6, 4 reps are more hypertrophy (build muscle mass) and the 5, 3, 2, 2 reps are more of straightforward strength building.
What I have been told by trainers and also read is that to build strength you generally want to go high weight low rep. I do that for a few weeks then do a couple weeks of 4x10-12.
8 6 6 4
5 3 2 2
Each time I go up in weight.
The sets of 8, 6, 6, 4 reps are more hypertrophy (build muscle mass) and the 5, 3, 2, 2 reps are more of straightforward strength building.
What I have been told by trainers and also read is that to build strength you generally want to go high weight low rep. I do that for a few weeks then do a couple weeks of 4x10-12.
Apr 10, 2012 | 10:18 AM
#17
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,647
From: Munich,Germany
+1
but I never go below 5 reps,..
that`s just too much stress on my joints etc and mostly leads to bad exercise execution and taking the stress away from the target muscle while using more supportive muscles etc
but i also vary the reps depending on muscle groups and exercises
While I don`t do strength only workouts I think the best way is to do low reps,longer rest times and a lot of good fooooooooooooood
but I never go below 5 reps,..
that`s just too much stress on my joints etc and mostly leads to bad exercise execution and taking the stress away from the target muscle while using more supportive muscles etc
but i also vary the reps depending on muscle groups and exercises
While I don`t do strength only workouts I think the best way is to do low reps,longer rest times and a lot of good fooooooooooooood
Apr 10, 2012 | 10:47 AM
#19
New OG
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,927
I usually start my upper body trainings with 6 sets of bench press and leg trainings with 6 sets of squats (10-12 reps for each). After that it's 4 sets all the time (some weeks it's 8-10 with heavier weights, others 12-15 depending how I feel), I never feel like 3 is enough.
Apr 10, 2012 | 11:20 AM
#20
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,770
for more strength
i would shoot for 4 or even 5 reps (depending on safety) AFTER failure. i actually just tried that today with my bicep workout so kindly allow 4 days or so for results after i check with my pullups and curls
for building muscle
i would drop the reps and go higher weights. i don't believe in mathematics at the gym so the whole 20% or 30% is too complicated. depending on mood & supplements YOU will know what weight to shoot for.
negative reps are grrreat as well for strength and more importantly endurance
i will confess that FORM and posture do not go with strength and muscle building for me
i would shoot for 4 or even 5 reps (depending on safety) AFTER failure. i actually just tried that today with my bicep workout so kindly allow 4 days or so for results after i check with my pullups and curls
for building muscle
i would drop the reps and go higher weights. i don't believe in mathematics at the gym so the whole 20% or 30% is too complicated. depending on mood & supplements YOU will know what weight to shoot for.
negative reps are grrreat as well for strength and more importantly endurance
i will confess that FORM and posture do not go with strength and muscle building for me
