Weight Training Question

Leigh14
Leigh14 Posts: 871 Member
edited September 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I think I have this concept right. If not, please correct me! Lower reps at a higher weight make your muscles bigger. Higher reps at a lower weight make your muscles toned. Right?

Which do you guys prefer and why?

I've always done lower reps at a higher weight... but last night I tried the opposite. My eventual goal is to build my muscles for an athletic look... is it okay to switch from higher reps at a lower weight to lower reps at a higher weight once I lose more pounds?

:indifferent: I hope that made sense.

Replies

  • Leigh14
    Leigh14 Posts: 871 Member
    Okay, I think I have this concept right. If not, please correct me! Lower reps at a higher weight make your muscles bigger. Higher reps at a lower weight make your muscles toned. Right?

    Which do you guys prefer and why?

    I've always done lower reps at a higher weight... but last night I tried the opposite. My eventual goal is to build my muscles for an athletic look... is it okay to switch from higher reps at a lower weight to lower reps at a higher weight once I lose more pounds?

    :indifferent: I hope that made sense.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/29555-fitness-training-a-rant?page=1#posts-284316

    this was my favorite thread on this subject.

    I love heavy weights and the feel of muscles bulging. Now I am short and petite build, so I have no issues with looking 'deisel'.

    When my fat is gone I want ppl to say " Did you see that woman, her arms and shoulders are HOT!"
  • fjtcjt
    fjtcjt Posts: 199
    You are correct with your concept.

    If you still are trying to lose weight, I would recommend the lower weights with higher reps and short rest between sets. This will keep your heart rate up during your workout and you will burn a lot more calories this way. You can still get a good muscle "pump" if you use enough weight that you so you really struggle to get in those last couple of reps. You can still add some muscle with 12 to 15 reps and this allows you to do more sets with less rest between sets. You can also workout two or three different body parts this way. Do a set of shoulders, biceps and triceps and then repeat. Then pick a different exercise for shoulders, bi's and tri's and do the same thing. Then you can do chest and back one day and then legs one day. The important part is to keep the intensity up to maximize the number of calories you burn during that time.

    Once the fat comes off, and you think you want bigger muscles, then you can do the higher weights with lower reps.
  • psyknife
    psyknife Posts: 487 Member
    There really is no such thing as muscle "tone" (as they say)... that is just what people call it when you can see your muscle definition... but that really just comes from burning enough fat so that your muscles show a little better. So, you don't really "tone" your muscles by lifting weights, but moreso by burning the fat and revealing the muscles :)

    The two types of lifting...

    Endurance - lower weight and higher reps.

    Strength - higher weight with lower reps.

    Both will cause the muscles to break-down and rebuild, but I find that lifting for strength is better for avoiding plateaus. Why? Because you are constantly challenging yourself by upping the amount of weight you are lifting...

    However, if you are find with your level of strength and just want to work endurance, then go for it. However, you should progressively increase the amount of weight you are lifting here, too, in order to keep it challenging.

    Don't worry about "bulking up" per se, because women don't have the genetics to do that (most women who really bulk either A.) take supplements to help promote it, or B.) have naturally higher levels of testosterone in their genetics).

    No matter which way of lifting you choose, lifting weights is a GREAT part of any fitness routine because of all of the benefits you will reap from it!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories