We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

I pick things up and put them down?

stacetherainbow
stacetherainbow Posts: 131
edited January 26 in Fitness and Exercise
What's the difference between lifting as much as I can, for fewer reps/sets and lifting a moderate amount for longer sets?
As a woman with a substantial amount of weight to lose, which is best for me?
I'm doing moderate cardio for 35-50 minutes 5-6 days a week. I'm ready to begin some strength training but I don't know where to start. Keeping in mind that I have to start slow, do you have any suggestions or insight?

Replies

  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    For beginners you should keep reps low and weight high. Build a good foundation of strength. As a beginner you need frequency, not volume.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    And check out starting strength
  • stacetherainbow
    stacetherainbow Posts: 131
    And check out starting strength
    Would you recommend 3 days a week?
    What's starting strength? A specific program?
    Thanks for your response!
  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    What's the difference between lifting as much as I can, for fewer reps/sets and lifting a moderate amount for longer sets?
    As a woman with a substantial amount of weight to lose, which is best for me?
    I'm doing moderate cardio for 35-50 minutes 5-6 days a week. I'm ready to begin some strength training but I don't know where to start. Keeping in mind that I have to start slow, do you have any suggestions or insight?

    One is more geared towards strength and the other muscle hypertrophy. It's good to incorporate both if you can. I alternate days from strength to growth throughout my split.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    It seems to me that lifting for strength is a better idea in a deficit. You can't do too much in the way of hypertrophy without a surplus. Vary it up if you like (I have sometimes) but consistently progressing with heavier and heavier weights is the goal.
  • stacetherainbow
    stacetherainbow Posts: 131
    This is the opposite of what I was taught once upon a time. I understood that most women wanted to lift less weight, more times and men would bulk up by lifting more weight, fewer times! Mind... blown
    Any suggestions for finding a good free weight routine?
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5 and I love it for the simplicity. Check out the program here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
  • stacetherainbow
    stacetherainbow Posts: 131
    I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5 and I love it for the simplicity. Check out the program here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary
    Thanks!
  • kopmom
    kopmom Posts: 491 Member
    I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5 and I love it for the simplicity. Check out the program here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    I agree !
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    I'm doing Stronglifts 5x5 and I love it for the simplicity. Check out the program here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    I just started Monday. Loving it so far!!! Only thing I've found is I am generally starving on the days I do the program. I can't imagine how I'm going to be when it gets harder!
  • rick_po
    rick_po Posts: 449 Member
    This is the opposite of what I was taught once upon a time. I understood that most women wanted to lift less weight, more times and men would bulk up by lifting more weight, fewer times! Mind... blown
    Any suggestions for finding a good free weight routine?

    Men bulk up because they have lots of testosterone. Women don't have the testosterone to build big muscles, unless they do steroids or something.

    Starting Strength, a book by Mark Rippetoe
    New Rules of Lifting for Women, a book by Lou Schuler
    Stronglifts 5x5, a free website

    NROL4W and Stronglifts both have groups here on myfitnesspal you might want to check out.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories