getting rid of the cr*p

[nanook]

I've looked all over the place and have gotten tons of different answers when it comes to amount of reps, amount of sets, amount of excercises per body part, how often to train a body part. Can someone sum it up for me. I've come to think that the best way to train is doing 3 sets of the same excercise, doing 8 reps heavy, 6 reps heavier then to failure heaviest. i mean increasing the weight each set and doing about 3 different excercises per body part and working each body part once a week, does that seem correct?

 

[Triple Threat]

There is no BEST way. If there was, everyone would be doing it. What works for me might not work for you. What works for you today might not work for you in another year or so. That's why you see so many different routines. You'll need to experiment and see what is best for you.

 

[Mudge]

Exactly, thats why everyone has a different answer, and what you spend your time in the gym learning, your own body.

While I could maybe suggest rep range, sets and movements change from time to time even for myself.

 

[Mex]

That's the truth, everyone here (and in magazines and even the pro bodybuilders) are going blind at it. Basically, if you work hard, and get enough rest, and eat well, you'll grow. That much we know. But what's enough rest? What's hard enough? What do we eat?

It's amazing that after almost a century of bodybuilding no one has come up with the exact answer to that.

Maybe gene therapy will help explain what's needed.

I think Mike Mentzer was on the right track - we need a more scientific approach, not this "Oh, this dude at my gym says... What worked for me for a while... Well, I don't know what works, so I change my exercises randomly every three months" crap.

 

[Arnold]

Originally posted by nanook
I've looked all over the place and have gotten tons of different answers when it comes to amount of reps, amount of sets, amount of excercises per body part, how often to train a body part. Can someone sum it up for me. I've come to think that the best way to train is doing 3 sets of the same excercise, doing 8 reps heavy, 6 reps heavier then to failure heaviest. i mean increasing the weight each set and doing about 3 different excercises per body part and working each body part once a week, does that seem correct?

yup, there are general guidelines though, depends on what your goal is.

 

[iryoku]

Well from everything i read building muscle you would do low reps heavy weights which is what im kinda doing.


Would cutting up require a diff style of working out?

 

[Mudge]

Not really, cutting is much more diet oriented, however things like circuit training use higher reps and very short rest periods often in order to keep the heart rate elevated. Rep range itself has nothing to do with "cuts."

 

[iryoku]

ok good to know thanks mudge