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Putting the weights up/reps down?

GymKitten Posts: 55 Joined: 2002/07/18	2002/07/30, 10:31 AM In addition to doing a bunch of CV stuff (running, swimming, cycling etc) I do weights 2 or 3 times a week, mainly focusing on upper body. I was previously doing 3x15reps (to failure, more or less) for about 12 different exercises (chest press, incline press, dumbell flye, lat pulldown, bent over row, vertical traction, shoulder press, deltoid raises, lateral raises, bicep curls, tricep dips and tricep pshdowns). Plus a bunch of ab things and sometimes lunges and inner/outer thigh work. However, this was taking me ages (about 1.5hrs)- which is alot when I'm also doing about 1 to 1.5hr of CV a day. So I wonder if I could drop the reps to 10 and up the weights to ensure failure. Will this make a difference? Would it be better for me? Will I get really big and bulky? Thanks
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2002/07/30, 11:06 AM Well what are your goals are you trying for mass buliding? Higher reps=more of a tone....lower reps=mass gain. Also higher weight=tone...whilelower weight=mass gain. Hope that helps you out. -------------- "When in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout" LIFT HARD AND OFTEN!!!!!!
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/07/30, 11:08 AM Working with progressively heavier weights will result in mass. You should not be working out for more than 45 minutes to 1 hour. Any more than that will tap into your body's ability to recuperate. Keep your reps high, but cut your rest periods so that it won't take you so long. It sounds like you're doing circuit training so you shouldn't need much rest since you're targeting different muscle groups in the same day. Good luck! -------------- **_Robert_** Pain is temporary; glory is forever!
GymKitten Posts: 55 Joined: 2002/07/18	2002/07/30, 11:16 AM My goals are fat loss, and also I'd like to get stronger. Building mass is fine by me, as I'm not one of these sylph-like ladies. More like built along the lines of a brick outhouse than Barbie so I don't think I can avoid it, really. In an ideal world I'd like to be Kylie Minogue, but in reality I'd like to be strong, fit and muscular.
roni0906 Posts: 1,008 Joined: 2002/01/24	2002/07/30, 09:26 PM Can you spread your exercises out into more days and concentrate on one or two muscle groups per day for one week. You can do your upper body in three days and only do about 6-8 exercises total for two muscle groups. For example, I do bi's/tri's in one day and do about 3-4 exercises for each group. Since arms are done mostly individually, I spend about 1 hr to 1hr 20 min, but that is my longest day. Hope this helps. -------------- Lisa
Philia2 Posts: 4,078 Joined: 2001/10/19	2002/07/31, 02:26 AM What about working in supersets or circuit? You'll do the same amount of exercises but you'll change in between from every set. One for the pecs, one for the back, triceps, biceps etc You see? You'll never stop, but keep your heart rate and speed up. Time sparing and geniuos for fat loss. Good luck! -------------- - Nina :o) Vous êtes tous magnifiques!
GymKitten Posts: 55 Joined: 2002/07/18	2002/07/31, 05:59 AM Well- last night I went to circuit training and managed to do 17 full press-ups (normally I can only do 10)- this is after 1 week of training at higher weights and lower reps, so I think it is really boosting my strength. The problem with supersetting is getting on the equipment in the gym, though I always do my bicep curls and tricep dips like that. Thanks for your advice. I think I'll stick with 10-12 reps as I am really seeing good strength gains already after a week.
Firehawk734 Posts: 295 Joined: 2002/07/31	2002/07/31, 01:47 PM You do not want to overtrain either. Overtraining will actually cause u to lose performance. Many studies have been done on this. DO the reps a little slower if you dont feel the burn, but do not strain your muscles too much.
Hellscream Posts: 272 Joined: 2004/02/25	2004/04/02, 10:39 AM lower weight = mass gain? ============ Quoting from 7707mutt: Well what are your goals are you trying for mass buliding? Higher reps=more of a tone....lower reps=mass gain. Also higher weight=tone...whilelower weight=mass gain. Hope that helps you out. =============