How many sets a day should you do for weight lifting?

5K85
5K85 Posts: 98 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been doing three sets

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Completely depends on your goals and programming.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    Ok, so if I do at my weight of losing some, sure thanks
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    What lifting program are you doing? They tell you how many to do.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    Just my own it's a 4 weight
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    what do you mean, I don't do a lot of reps, just what I can do in the morning
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited July 2016
    What exercises are you doing? How much weight?

    Your question is kind of vague. How many sets/reps will vary depending on the program. I would suggest looking into a well known program like Strong Curves or Starting Strength or New Rules of Lifting for Women or Strong Lifts 5x5, because you want to make sure you hit every muscle when you lift (not necessarily all at the same time, but you don't want to neglect an area of your body all together).
  • bioklutz
    bioklutz Posts: 1,365 Member
    If you have made up your own program you are in charge of figuring this out. I would recommend following a program from this list: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    The weight is 4 for one weight and 7 for the other. Upper body training
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    5K85 wrote: »
    The weight is 4 for one weight and 7 for the other. Upper body training

    So your using 4 lb and 7 lb dumbbells?
    Only upper body workouts?? That doesn't sound balanced at all.
    Look into one of the lifting programs from the list linked to above or go to fitnessblender.com and rotate through strength videos for various parts of your body.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    Well, I have one weight which is two, these are weights not dumbbells
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    I got to stay more focused
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited July 2016
    5K85 wrote: »
    Well, I have one weight which is two, these are weights not dumbbells

    barbell plates? Kettlebells?
    Dumbbells are a type of weight. I just assumed when you said you had 4 and 7 that they would be dumbbells.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    I see, I looked at the site, it's really helpful
  • Chrismadison100
    Chrismadison100 Posts: 70 Member
    It depends TO build muscle I do pyramids where I start with a set of 10 at 45 and drop the reps by two and increase the weight by 5 pounds for each set. The final set is usually 6 reps. The other option if I am just looking to tone my muscles, is lighter weights with maybe 20 reps.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    Here is a good little programme you can do at home. It tells you how many reps and sets to do so you won't have to worry.

    Increasing the weights or reps as you work through the programme will help in increasing muscle strength.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U0bhE67HuDY

    Cheers, h.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    I know understand that these are all weights
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Is English your first language?

    I am having trouble following anything in this thread

    What are you actually doing?...what type of exercise eg curls, push ups, rows, squats ...all types of exercise

    What are you actually lifting? ...eg how much weight and what type ...are you talking in pounds or kilos

    What is your goal?

    If you are completely ignorant would you not be better following a ready designed programme?
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    A picture of what you're using may be helpful, since none of us can really understand exactly what you're using.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I strongly suggest doing a structured program, like stronglifts 5x5 , or others that have been mentioned. If you do not have access to barbells and plates, maybe try something like convict conditioning or you are your own gym.
    If all you have is dumbbells, you could do something like 30 day shred, ripped in 30, or Denise Austin body boot camp(but there are many others). These would not really be just strength workouts, they are more like circuit training with cardio.
    I can almost guarantee that you are not getting a balanced and well rounded workout with what you are doing now.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,091 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    Completely depends on your goals and programming.
    This. Many of my clients are just trying to get in shape, so 3 is the default. But for a couple of my clients who are trying to gain muscle, we do 4-5 sets and multiple exercises for one body part.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,091 Member
    tcjay100 wrote: »
    It depends TO build muscle I do pyramids where I start with a set of 10 at 45 and drop the reps by two and increase the weight by 5 pounds for each set. The final set is usually 6 reps. The other option if I am just looking to tone my muscles, is lighter weights with maybe 20 reps.
    You mean try to "lose" body fat? Lifting weights with high reps DOESN'T target body fat.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    Doing curls and upper body strength training. Just taking it one work out at a time.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    I'm using weights till I can get to the gym to do other exercises, doing my best.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    I did a full work out exercise warm up and cool down sets and reps and finished it.
  • xvolution
    xvolution Posts: 721 Member
    It depends on you and your goals. Personally for strength training I do 3 sets of 20 reps [or until muscle fatigue hits] with a 30 second rest between sets, adjusting the weights as needed.
  • 5K85
    5K85 Posts: 98 Member
    xvolution wrote: »
    It depends on you and your goals. Personally for strength training I do 3 sets of 20 reps [or until muscle fatigue hits] with a 30 second rest between sets, adjusting the weights as needed.

    Yep, approved this message
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