Lifting preference

For those of you who lift weights, do you prefer high reps with less weight, or more weight with fewer reps? I used to be the max weight low rep type, but recently I've switched. So far, I'm liking the results. I get an even better workout, and I'm not nearly as sore afterward.

 

Lower weight/higher reps will build leaner muscle, and will also reduce the risk of injury. My elbows and shoulders are a bit messed up, so this is how I typically work out. Another thing that works very well is to lift much SLOWER. Pay attention to keeping form, and lower the weights slowly.

Another helpful tip is range of movement. When bench pressing/dumbell pressing, for example... Don't bring the weights all the way down to chest level. Stop when your upper arms are roughly parallel to the ground. Don't let the weights drop to the point where your muscles are basically resting.

 

I have read that you can get by with only doing one set if you go to failure on that one set. I am not sure if it is true or not but it would save a lot of time.

 

I prefer low reps with low weight.

 

I've been running 2 sets of 25 on most lifts, rather than 3 sets of 10.

 

I always feel weird when I am sitting on a machine between sets and resting. I wonder if people think I am just hogging the machine.

 

Me, too.

 

higher reps, though I generally don't go past 12. If I'm going past 12 I need more weight. Downside is I rarely go toward a max.

I also have no idea what I'm doing, FWIW. Since I don't go every week anymore, and run 2-3x a week, I like to do dumbbells for things I'd normally use a bar with.

 

Do you feel like you worked out after doing that? Like Magnus, I try to keep my reps between 10-15, and I always do at least 3 sets. Sometimes I'll throw a 4th set of much lighter weights and do them to failure (or at least close to failure). IMO, low reps/high weight would be sets of 5 or 6. Sets of 25 just seems like it would be more of a cardio workout, rather than strength training.

 

It is. And honestly, I'm leaning more toward cardio (or more specifically, calorie burning) than building strength and/or muscle mass. But I'm still lifting enough weight that I'm feeling sore. Just not as sore as I was with more weight and fewer reps. Makes the routine a lot easier to stick with and maintain.