Weightlifting question - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

karen430 · 10-10-2004, 07:36 PM

I've been going to the gym religiously since June 1st when I decided to join the gym and stick to a real routine

So far it has really worked. I do alternate days of weights and cardios, which really seems to work for me. Since coming back to school, I've finally been able to talk my boyfriend into going to the gym with me. Although he refuses to do any cardio - says it's too boring

he will go to the weight room with me. I've been trying to teach him the importance of sets and reps, but he's one of those guys that tries to do the most he can. So for instance, he'll sit down and do bicep curls and try to do as many as possible without stopping (I believe he shoots for 60 at a time). This is the wrong way to do it, right? I mean, I don't know for sure because I'm fairly new at this myself, but I had a personal trainer this summer who told me that was a bad idea. How can I explain to my boyfriend this without discouraging him from coming to the gym with me, because I really like it and enjoy the comany? Any suggestions? Thanks for your help

never2L8 · 10-11-2004, 01:16 AM

Tell him that doing any weight exercise for that many reps is actually a cardio workout rather than a muscle or strength training exercise. What he is doing will not increase strength or size - maybe an initial increase if he is starting from scratch. He is causing joint wear and tear and is risking serious jointinjury and ligament strains.

He will get bigger by sticking to the 8 to 10 rep range and stronger by keeping in the 4 to 8 rep range. I have not read anything anywhere that tells people doing more than 15 reps in a set will assist in size or strength gains. Quality is better than quantity in everything you do and this is especially true in the gym