How do you know when it's time to increase the weights?

Stephanie198907
Stephanie198907 Posts: 163 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been strength training and pushing myself pretty hard but I'm not sure when I should increase my weights. Should I increase when I no longer feel muscle soreness after a workout or should I increase my weights at steady and constant intervals?

TIA.

Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    I know it's time to increase weights when it's the next time I lift weights and I didn't fail any reps last time.



    Soreness is not an indicator of progress.
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    When you can add more reps to your sets (like if you do eight normally and can barely even finish the last, and you get to a point where eight doesn't fatigue your muscles any longer), then it's time to up the weight. I go by muscle fatigue while I'm doing the exercises, not the soreness afterward.
  • bobbybdoe
    bobbybdoe Posts: 472 Member
    I add more weight when I notice that I can do 15 or more reps with my current weight. I add anywhere from to 10-15% more weight when I realize it.
  • Ripken818836701
    Ripken818836701 Posts: 607 Member
    If you can do 10 reps increase the weight for the next set.
  • brandyk77
    brandyk77 Posts: 605 Member
    I know it's time to increase weights when it's the next time I lift weights and I didn't fail any reps last time.



    Soreness is not an indicator of progress.

    THIS
  • Stephanie198907
    Stephanie198907 Posts: 163 Member
    thanks everyone!
  • AmandaLAcosta
    AmandaLAcosta Posts: 87
    When the last 3 reps no longer hard.
  • jenniejengin
    jenniejengin Posts: 784 Member
    Bump
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I do when I can reach 8 reps (10 for certain exercises)

    Soreness is not a good indicator. After a while of doing a certain exercise, the soreness goes away, unless I change it up the routine or push myself A LOT more than usual. It's still making a difference though :)
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