More reps, less weight vs. Less reps, more weight - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

procharged · 06-06-2003, 09:00 PM

Ok, now I've been told that to make great gains in strength, I need to do less reps with more weight. But, to get bigger I need to do more reps with less weight. Is all of this true? I want to get bigger, but I also want to make good gains in strength. Which is better to go by in my lifts?

sotrt · 06-07-2003, 01:37 AM

If you want to gain mass, eat, eat, and eat some more... on the lifting side you want to lift heavy weights with low rep, around 4-6.

procharged · 06-07-2003, 04:40 PM

How come body builders do about twice as many reps then?

Are they just doing it to get big and not strong?

johnd · 06-07-2003, 07:26 PM

1-4 is strength
4-12 is size
13+ is pretty much worthless
of course these numbers are general, and different things work for different people
yes, bodybuilders are concerned chiefly with size.
for increases in both try a rep range of 4-8

johnd

damacles78 · 06-09-2003, 02:01 PM

I could've sworn that the general rules were opposite the above: In order to get bigger and build up power, do less reps and pack on the weight. Conversely, in order to build up strength and get ripped, do more reps less weight.