Weight or Form?

TheStuff · 02-16-2002, 12:08 AM

Hey guys I have one question. I'm trying to gain muscle mass and definition in my arms and chest so you are able to tell that I have been lifting. While I was there today, a guy told me to go down to less weight because I am strugling on my last couple reps and he said that I should drop 5 lbs and sacrafice weight other than form. The question I am asking is if I'm trying to gain mass/definition should I just go with a light weight (it's easy when I lift) and just have perfect form, or have a heavy weight and have somewhat a perfect form, but struggling on last reps. Thanks for the help.

TheStuff

arbntmare · 02-16-2002, 12:29 AM

form is always key.. and for definition you want to do less weight anywayz.. you want to do reps, as reps are more important to definition

w8lifter · 02-16-2002, 07:31 AM

It kind of depends here. Good form is essential. However, if you are using perfect form and only cheating on the last rep....kinda like a forced rep, I think that's okay....assuming you're only cheating slightly, and not doing anything stupid that would really injure you. But if you're goal reps are 8 and your form starts sucking at 4-5 and you're adding extra rest in between each rep, etc....then it's just too heavy.

Triple Threat · 02-16-2002, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by arbntmare
and for definition you want to do less weight anywayz.. you want to do reps, as reps are more important to definition

Actually body fat is the key to definition. Once you have some size, if you want good definition, you need a low percentage of body fat. The "high reps = definition" is just a myth.

w8lifter · 02-16-2002, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaptainDeadlift

The "high reps = definition" is just a myth.

Thank you! I never understand why people switch to high friggen reps & low weight in order to cut.

**Prince** · 02-16-2002, 09:54 AM

Form is definitely important, but there are times when I will sacrifice a little bit of form to get in a couple extra reps, especially if I do not have a spotter.

arbntmare · 02-16-2002, 11:13 AM

i dont' know about the myth part.. it has worked for me..but then again i didn't just do high reps i did also high sets...

**gopro** · 02-17-2002, 05:36 PM

To gain mass use perfect form, and a weight that allows 6-10 reps before failure. Once failure is reached, you can "cheat" for a couple of more reps, as long as the cheating is within
reason...don't cheat so much that you injure yourself! Some misguided people pick weights that cause them to cheat from the first rep...this is a mistake!

rks1969 · 02-17-2002, 07:40 PM

Everytime I talk to people about weight (fat) loss ,they allthink high reps is the way to go. I try to explain that muscle is active tissue and it takes energy to maintain it.The more muscle mass you carry the more fat you can burn up with a good diet.

02-16-2002, 12:08 AM	#1
TheStuff Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Gatos Posts: 284	Weight or Form? Hey guys I have one question. I'm trying to gain muscle mass and definition in my arms and chest so you are able to tell that I have been lifting. While I was there today, a guy told me to go down to less weight because I am strugling on my last couple reps and he said that I should drop 5 lbs and sacrafice weight other than form. The question I am asking is if I'm trying to gain mass/definition should I just go with a light weight (it's easy when I lift) and just have perfect form, or have a heavy weight and have somewhat a perfect form, but struggling on last reps. Thanks for the help. TheStuff

02-16-2002, 12:29 AM	#2
arbntmare StudentDentistTeethPuller Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 309	form is always key.. and for definition you want to do less weight anywayz.. you want to do reps, as reps are more important to definition
	No Pain, No Gain

02-16-2002, 09:54 AM	#6
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,982 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	Form is definitely important, but there are times when I will sacrifice a little bit of form to get in a couple extra reps, especially if I do not have a spotter.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

02-16-2002, 11:13 AM	#7
arbntmare StudentDentistTeethPuller Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 309	i dont' know about the myth part.. it has worked for me..but then again i didn't just do high reps i did also high sets...
	No Pain, No Gain

02-17-2002, 05:36 PM	#8
gopro NGA/IFPA Pro Bodybuilder Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Florida Posts: 10,523	To gain mass use perfect form, and a weight that allows 6-10 reps before failure. Once failure is reached, you can "cheat" for a couple of more reps, as long as the cheating is within reason...don't cheat so much that you injure yourself! Some misguided people pick weights that cause them to cheat from the first rep...this is a mistake!
	Monthly columnist for Muscular Development and Ironman magazines. GOLIATH LABS Sponsored Athlete/Board Rep www.prrstraining.com Time to GROW Without Plateau! Personal Training Gopro is available for online personal training, dietary guidance, and contest prep coaching. Send me a PM or e-mail if interested. Thank you.

02-16-2002, 07:31 AM	#3
w8lifter Join Date: May 2001 Location: Around..... Posts: 14,964	It kind of depends here. Good form is essential. However, if you are using perfect form and only cheating on the last rep....kinda like a forced rep, I think that's okay....assuming you're only cheating slightly, and not doing anything stupid that would really injure you. But if you're goal reps are 8 and your form starts sucking at 4-5 and you're adding extra rest in between each rep, etc....then it's just too heavy.

02-17-2002, 07:40 PM	#9
rks1969 KUTTIN'UP Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington,North Carolina Posts: 219	Everytime I talk to people about weight (fat) loss ,they allthink high reps is the way to go. I try to explain that muscle is active tissue and it takes energy to maintain it.The more muscle mass you carry the more fat you can burn up with a good diet.
	YOU CAN SPEND YOUR TIME ANY WAY YOU WANT ,BUT YOU CAN SPEND IT ONLY ONCE. MAKE IT WORTH IT!!!!!!

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