[verdantlife]

OK, so what is the group wisdom on reps vs. weight.

Usually I started by trying 3 sets of 4 reps at a certain weight. Next time it's 3x6, then 3x8, and at that point I go to 3x4 with more weight. My philosophy is that I should be increasing reps or weight each time I workout otherwise I'm probably overtraining and not growing.

I've read every opinion under the sun:

- bigger weights are what's important

- more reps is what's important

- doing more reps in a row is what's important (i.e., I should be doing 3x10 or 3x12 or 3x15 with lighter weights) because it's "time under tension" and the last few are what really count when your muscle is exhausted

- doing more reps overall is what's important (i.e., it doesn't matter if you do 3x10 or 30 broken up into groups of 3 or 4 or even one at a time)

- the HIT people say "one set to failure!"

- other people say "do sets until you puke"

- you must do 4 sets - the fourth set is crucial

- doing more than 3 is a waste of time

Seriously, I've seen all of the above in books and articles. I don't have a PhD in keniosiology so what do I know...

I tend to do one set at about half of my max as a warmup (for the first few exercises), then three sets at full bore. Sometimes I'll do more sets on the major exercises (bench, squats, etc.) to really work the muscles.

Or if there is some book that I should go read, just say so...

[richoart]

mate this is a pretty open question if you think about it. people workout for different goals which really affects the rep range set range, rest range? etc.. also it depends on your body as to what works.

Personally i prefer to start off with bigger exercises such as a flat bench or squats, for anywhere between 2-10 reps for 3-4 sets, and then my reps slowly get higher as i progress the workout. Ive found i get the best gains in mass using this over the last 2 years. anyway thats my 2 cents worth

[blue524432]

It all depends on how your body responds to different workouts, some people respond to lots of sets and reps where others dont respond at all, find what does best for you and stick with it.

[Bruteus Maximus]

this one is really gunna depend on the individual and how your body responds best unfortunately. I personally decided a long time ago that i am not going to subscribe to only one theory on rep schemes. I will try to do some of everything in my workouts. I will have some exercises that I do three hard sets in, some with low weight some with high, some with increasing reps some without. My goal is overall balance and ability, so i dont want to limit myself to one particular pattern. Also, i try to switch it up between workouts. so if i do heavy benches one workout i might switch it up and go for sheer volume on the next.

[Thomas_Rivera]

Doing more reps with more weight is important. HAHAHAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

[Foogoof]

like jay cutler said, u gotta try them all out before u find the perfect routine. its all about your own body and your goals and reasons of your lifting.