Question for any weight lifter
James9090
Posts: 26 Member
Hello everyone-
Just got my weight bench in the mail and am pumped up to use it!
Quick question. I am not trying to gain mass so much a loose arm fat and gain lean muscle.
Therefore, my plan is to lift a low amount of weight to failure (sets of 30 or so, or whatever I can go till).
Is this the right course of action? Thanks!
Just got my weight bench in the mail and am pumped up to use it!
Quick question. I am not trying to gain mass so much a loose arm fat and gain lean muscle.
Therefore, my plan is to lift a low amount of weight to failure (sets of 30 or so, or whatever I can go till).
Is this the right course of action? Thanks!
0
Replies
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You won't gain mass if eating at a deficit. You'll likely see faster, more noticeable results with higher weight, lower reps.Hello everyone-
Just got my weight bench in the mail and am pumped up to use it!
Quick question. I am not trying to gain mass so much a loose arm fat and gain lean muscle.
Therefore, my plan is to lift a low amount of weight to failure (sets of 30 or so, or whatever I can go till).
Is this the right course of action? Thanks!0 -
You won't build bulk up by accident, or by lifting heavy weights. It takes time and lots of extra calories. For a lean look, you can do 5 sets of 5 reps of heavy weights for various arm/shoulder/chest exercises. Doing all those reps is actually excessive and you can get the same or better results by lifting at low reps and heavier weights. Along with a good diet eating at maintenance or even a small deficit, you'll get the results you're aiming for.0
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No.....light lifting just takes longer!
Lift 8-10 reps and do 4-5 sets of each exercise (and rest a day in between). It will get your metabolism going and that helps with weight loss. You CAN gain muscle and lose fat at the same time if you are a beginner with some fat to lose. You can't if you are a seasoned lifter.
But even if you don't gain muscle, you can look more toned and you will fire up your metabolism by lifting heavy.0 -
Hello everyone-
Just got my weight bench in the mail and am pumped up to use it!
Quick question. I am not trying to gain mass so much a loose arm fat and gain lean muscle.
Therefore, my plan is to lift a low amount of weight to failure (sets of 30 or so, or whatever I can go till).
Is this the right course of action? Thanks!
Not trying to gain mass but wanting to gain lean muscle? Can you explain what you mean by this. You seem to be a little confused
Muscles - can get bigger, get smaller or stay the same size (they can also get stronger without necessarily getting bigger)
Fat - you can lose it, gain it or maintain a constant amount
I'm guessing you want to lose fat and either put on some muslce or maintain the amount you have. Which is it?0 -
Heavier weights, low rep. Follow a program like Starting Strength, Stronglifts 5x5 etc. Eat at maintenance or at a very slight deficit.0
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I'm guessing you want to lose fat and either put on some muslce or maintain the amount you have. Which is it?
I am trying to burn fat as quickly as possible and maintain my current amount. Hopefully that makes sense.0 -
Sets of 30 or more reps are kind of in the silly range.
Like what the other folks said you won't 'gain mass' accidentally.
If you really new to strength training I would highly recommend this blog post over at Nerd Fitness
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/02/28/strength-training-101/0 -
I think so
lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles. 0 -
Ok, I think what you are saying here is that:
extra calories above BMI + lifting = gaining muscle mass
calories below BMI + lifting = lean look?You won't build bulk up by accident, or by lifting heavy weights. It takes time and lots of extra calories. For a lean look, you can do 5 sets of 5 reps of heavy weights for various arm/shoulder/chest exercises. Doing all those reps is actually excessive and you can get the same or better results by lifting at low reps and heavier weights. Along with a good diet eating at maintenance or even a small deficit, you'll get the results you're aiming for.0 -
.You won't build bulk up by accident, or by lifting heavy weights. It takes time and lots of extra calories. For a lean look, you can do 5 sets of 5 reps of heavy weights for various arm/shoulder/chest exercises. Doing all those reps is actually excessive and you can get the same or better results by lifting at low reps and heavier weights. Along with a good diet eating at maintenance or even a small deficit, you'll get the results you're aiming for.
What the gorgeous blonde said! Keep your reps between 8-12 reps, this is the hypotraphy rep range, 6'reps and lower is for strength gains. Get yourself some dumbbells too0 -
I think most people are not reading your post ...your not wanting to gain mass Right? So why is there advice on lower rep heavy weight????:huh:0
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no no no no no.I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.0 -
Yes! That's what I am trying avoid is huge biceps and whatnot. If you ever saw the actor Aaron Eckart that is what I am talking about. Ripped but not bulky.I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.0
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When I got a personal trainer she had me do 12 reps- 20 reps 3 sets depending on what I was doing.I told her I didn't want to gain muscle but to tone what I already have...she told me if I could do 3 sets up 20 up the weight.I did alot of things like Blurpees ect..not sure if that helps0
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8 reps or less for strength, 8-12 for size.I think most people are not reading your post ...your not wanting to gain mass Right? So why is there advice on lower rep heavy weight????:huh:0 -
I think most people are not reading your post ...your not wanting to gain mass Right? So why is there advice on lower rep heavy weight????:huh:
Hah. That's what I was wondering also. In high school we were taught that high reps low weight builds lean muscle while low reps high weight puts on mass.0 -
I'm not saying this isn't true, but. . . she'd be the first person ever - male or female - to bulk on a deficit, and women have less natural propensity to bulk than men do, thanks to lower testosterone.I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.0 -
lowering body fat will look ripped and not bulky....Cardio with a mix of light weights,planking,blurpees,use your own body weight alot type workouts0
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Yes! That's what I am trying avoid is huge biceps and whatnot. If you ever saw the actor Aaron Eckart that is what I am talking about. Ripped but not bulky.I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.
What about the shirtless guy who posted right above this post? His body looks pretty similar to the pic I saw when I looked up Aaron Eckhart. Maybe you could check with him to see what he did to get a body like that.0 -
I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.
lol bulky....0 -
I think most people are not reading your post ...your not wanting to gain mass Right? So why is there advice on lower rep heavy weight????:huh:
Hah. That's what I was wondering also. In high school we were taught that high reps low weight builds lean muscle while low reps high weight puts on mass.
In that case, maybe you should ask your gym teacher from high school what to do then. :grumble: :laugh:0 -
.You won't build bulk up by accident, or by lifting heavy weights. It takes time and lots of extra calories. For a lean look, you can do 5 sets of 5 reps of heavy weights for various arm/shoulder/chest exercises. Doing all those reps is actually excessive and you can get the same or better results by lifting at low reps and heavier weights. Along with a good diet eating at maintenance or even a small deficit, you'll get the results you're aiming for.
What the gorgeous blonde said! Keep your reps between 8-12 reps, this is the hypotraphy rep range, 6'reps and lower is for strength gains. Get yourself some dumbbells too
Yup.0 -
I think most people are not reading your post ...your not wanting to gain mass Right? So why is there advice on lower rep heavy weight????:huh:
Hah. That's what I was wondering also. In high school we were taught that high reps low weight builds lean muscle while low reps high weight puts on mass.
What? Really? They told you that? All resistance training puts on muscle! All muscle is lean! Putting on "mass" or being "ripped" has more to do with your diet...0 -
Yes! That's what I am trying avoid is huge biceps and whatnot. If you ever saw the actor Aaron Eckart that is what I am talking about. Ripped but not bulky.Not for nothing dude, but I doubt you could get big biceps even if you wanted to! You have to have the right genetics for that. A 35 year old man who has never trained before, doubt your going to get huge....its not that simple, you have to put a ton of work in. I know for a fact that your not up to for what it takes... So train as hard as you can, and I guarantee your muscles will never get as big as you think they may. You will be pleasantly disappointed, since you never wanted big muscles anyway...0
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I am 6 ft 5 300 pounds. I have pretty big biceps already, probably bigger than you.0
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I am betting cardio more than anything. That is what I have been doing mostly anyways with good results. Maybe I shouldn't even lift for goals are just to speed up metabolism.Yes! That's what I am trying avoid is huge biceps and whatnot. If you ever saw the actor Aaron Eckart that is what I am talking about. Ripped but not bulky.I think so lower weight more reps....well that would tone your arms.I think it depends on the workout your doing.I know swimming is good for lean muscles.My sister got bulky 15 inch biceps and started swimming to get longer lean muscles.
What about the shirtless guy who posted right above this post? His body looks pretty similar to the pic I saw when I looked up Aaron Eckhart. Maybe you could check with him to see what he did to get a body like that.0 -
Yeah, fat don't count..,but you are a big dude , lol...I am 6 ft 5 300 pounds. I have pretty big biceps already, probably bigger than you.0 -
I am a mason labor for a living, lift block and stone all day. Not really fat man. Thus the question in the thread. Once again, don't want to gain mass but no one has really answered the question. Maybe I'll just keep up the cardio. Peace.0
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OK brother, my bad for assuming! So you probably have a solid foundation. You don't have to lift so much if you don't want to... You could do 3 cardio sessions a week, and lift two days a week. I would lift moderate weight in the 12-15 rep range, just to get some muscle stimulation. But the main factor lies in your diet! Eat at a defecit so you can get leaner. With time and consistency you will be able to get where you want to be. Good luck.I am a mason labor for a living, lift block and stone all day. Not really fat man. Thus the question in the thread. Once again, don't want to gain mass but no one has really answered the question. Maybe I'll just keep up the cardio. Peace.0 -
Set of high reps are going to put you in the range for gaining mass from hypertrophy. Reps in this range are not going to give you so much strength as it will muscular endurance. So based on your question, I do not think this is the right course of action. My recommendation would be to simplify your decision making. Asking for advice on MFP will yield you a ton of different answers and opinions. Some of which may me good, some not so good as there are a ton of newbies to strength training who are following some internet lifting guru and think that after a few months of lifting and strong newbie gains that they know everything there is to know and will try to project their goals upon you. If you have read enough of these sites you can begin to tell who these folks follow by what they repeat. Some of it is indeed good info, but you might be better served by going to sites where there are multiple authors submitting articles and decide for yourself the route you want to take. Bodybuilding.com and MuscleandStrength.com have a lot of good info once you get past their adds trying to sell you supplements. There are a ton of other good sites out there which will give you good info, but these provide info on body building, power lifting, nutrition and a whole slew of other useful information.Hello everyone-
Just got my weight bench in the mail and am pumped up to use it!
Quick question. I am not trying to gain mass so much a loose arm fat and gain lean muscle.
Therefore, my plan is to lift a low amount of weight to failure (sets of 30 or so, or whatever I can go till).
Is this the right course of action? Thanks!
The folks on MFP all have great intentions and are eager to help. But it can become too much trying to filter the good from the bad when you have 50 different answers to one question which can make it confusing for some.0
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