THEMYTH

Newbie question here. Im trying to bulk out again. Is 3x8 reps really enough ? Thats what i keep getting told but even at a heavy wieght my muscles (especially my chest) doesnt feel sore the next day like im not really working it.

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CowPimp

I used to only do 3 sets per muscle when I did a full body workout 3 times a week. If you are only working the muscle on time each week and split the muscles among the days, then you need to make the session more intense. Of course, it depends highly on the muscle. For example, I only do 5 sets for my biceps because they get a lot of peripheral work on back day. However, I do 8 sets for my chest.

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Willdebeast

Im going to assume whoever told you that meant 3x8 per exercise.if you are going to failure 10-12 sets per w/o would be reasonable.

Mudge

What bodypart are you talking about that only requires 3 sets? 5x5 routines are somewhat common but 3 sets is a tad on the low side except for forearms or neck.

For biceps I'm around 5 sets right now, otherwise 8 is about as low as I go for most larger bodyparts.

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richirich_99

5-8sets of the same lift? so do like 5 sets of barbell curls, and 5 sets of incline curls...etc. or like 8 sets of bench, 8 sets of incline bench, and so on...???

Mudge

For biceps thats 5 total sets, I used to only do 2-3.

Rand

If your doing, for example, a chest workout -

Doing 3x8 and then moving on to triceps or something else won't work. If you also are doing 3x8 of incline, decline, flies of some sort, other chest-related exercises, then 3x8 of each should be fine.

THEMYTH

Im doing all my upper body 3 times a week and lower the other two days. I was told to do three sets of eight reps at a heavy weight (maxed on last rep) per excersise to bulk out and then later move to 4x10 or so when i want to get some definition. Does this make more sense ?

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Mudge

Ok this is different, if your frequency is 3x a week then that is going to play into this. I would look at sets total at the end of the week, if you like this routine stick with it.

I like to do things like this now and again but not non-stop, but that is just my own preference. What you are doing in some ways is similar to HST, lower volume but more frequent workouts.

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THEMYTH

Ok heres a quick example of my chest:
3x8 incline
3x8 decline
3x8 Barbell Press
3x8 Fly's

I do this three times a week. My other muscle groups have a similiar set-up

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Big Smoothy

OK, I understand. HST-like. More frequent.

CowPimp

That's insane unless you are working at about 50% intensity. If you are like me, each set goes until failure or one rep shy, then that is unecessary. Hell, I only do 8 sets for my chest and that is once per week. Unless you're on roids your body is going to have a hard time recovering from such a workout routine.

If you want to hit you chest 3 times per week, then do something like this (Just an example):

Monday:
3 x 8 Flat Barbell Press

Wednesday:
3 x 8 Decline Barbell Press

Friday:
3 x 8 Incline Barbell Press

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THEMYTH

Im not at 100% cause i work out alone and dont want to max out and drop the bar on myself so i keep it at about 80% to be safe. Barbells I do push hard cause i can get out of that.

Im going to try this for a month or so and then see what happens. Im not on roids yet but plan on going to winstrol at the end of the month or so.

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Big Smoothy

Cowpimp:

If I was doing 12 sets - 4 different chest exercises (3 x 8)(3 x 8)(3 x 8)(3 x 8) to failure, would every 6 days be enough time to recover? (I know depends on the individual.)