The Secret Number of Reps to Gain Mass
How Many Reps Should I Do? Many people ask this question, and there are as many answers to this question as there are people asking it. One expert will tell you one rep scheme will produce mass gains, and that no other scheme will work. The next expert will tell you that you need to do a completely different amount of reps to gain mass, and that any other amount of reps will not produce favorable results.
With so many ideas how do you know what's right? I'll give you the scientific facts, and you can decide for yourself.
Different rep schemes target different types of muscle, and different parts within the muscle structure. Lets keep this simple and say that there are basically two different types of muscle fiber, Fast Twitch and Slow Twitch. Let's also keep the rep schemes simple and say that there are three types:
1. Low reps (3-5), very heavy weight (88-93% of 1RM)
2. Medium reps (6-8), moderate weight (84-88% or 1RM)
3. Many Reps (15-25), light weight (60-70% of 1RM)
The low rep, high weight rep scheme is for building strength but not muscle mass. Normally a muscle has to be engaged in 36 seconds of continuous tension to spark the muscle growing mechanism. These reps should be done repeatedly and explosively through the entire range of motion, focusing on maintaining form.
The middle scheme is for recruiting fast twitch fiber growth which builds muscle mass as well as strength. This kind of set should be performed slower than the first set. You will lower the weight in four seconds while lifting in two. This combination of time and lifting weight within 84 and 88 percent of your 1 rep max will stimulate muscle growth.
The high reps scheme of 15-25 at 60-70% of 1RM will recruit slow twitch muscle fiber almost exclusively. This type of rep scheme will increase endurance and increase overall aerobic fitness. This rep scheme is also much easier to recover from. One reason this type of rep scheme increases aerobic activity is because your body has produced so much lactic acid that you will fail at the end of a set because of cardiovascular fatigue and not muscular fatigue.
What's best? It depends on what you want. There are two types of muscle fiber, Type I and Type II. They are also referred to as Slow Twitch and Fast Twitch. These muscle fibers usually are found in the bigger muscles like the pecs, biceps, and quads and are made for quick power. Most people focus all of their attention on the fast twitch muscles, as they have more potential for growth than slow twitch fibers. Just remember, your body adapts to your workouts in two to four weeks, so you need to change your rep scheme every few weeks to keep introducing new stimuli to your body. Also, changing up your workouts will eliminate any change of a plateau. Also, be sure to use proper form, and when you can't lift the weight for one more rep, the set is over.
The bottom line is to mix up your rep scheme from time to time to ensure you are developing both the fast twitch fibers and the slow twitch fibers to their maximum potential. - 17269
With so many ideas how do you know what's right? I'll give you the scientific facts, and you can decide for yourself.
Different rep schemes target different types of muscle, and different parts within the muscle structure. Lets keep this simple and say that there are basically two different types of muscle fiber, Fast Twitch and Slow Twitch. Let's also keep the rep schemes simple and say that there are three types:
1. Low reps (3-5), very heavy weight (88-93% of 1RM)
2. Medium reps (6-8), moderate weight (84-88% or 1RM)
3. Many Reps (15-25), light weight (60-70% of 1RM)
The low rep, high weight rep scheme is for building strength but not muscle mass. Normally a muscle has to be engaged in 36 seconds of continuous tension to spark the muscle growing mechanism. These reps should be done repeatedly and explosively through the entire range of motion, focusing on maintaining form.
The middle scheme is for recruiting fast twitch fiber growth which builds muscle mass as well as strength. This kind of set should be performed slower than the first set. You will lower the weight in four seconds while lifting in two. This combination of time and lifting weight within 84 and 88 percent of your 1 rep max will stimulate muscle growth.
The high reps scheme of 15-25 at 60-70% of 1RM will recruit slow twitch muscle fiber almost exclusively. This type of rep scheme will increase endurance and increase overall aerobic fitness. This rep scheme is also much easier to recover from. One reason this type of rep scheme increases aerobic activity is because your body has produced so much lactic acid that you will fail at the end of a set because of cardiovascular fatigue and not muscular fatigue.
What's best? It depends on what you want. There are two types of muscle fiber, Type I and Type II. They are also referred to as Slow Twitch and Fast Twitch. These muscle fibers usually are found in the bigger muscles like the pecs, biceps, and quads and are made for quick power. Most people focus all of their attention on the fast twitch muscles, as they have more potential for growth than slow twitch fibers. Just remember, your body adapts to your workouts in two to four weeks, so you need to change your rep scheme every few weeks to keep introducing new stimuli to your body. Also, changing up your workouts will eliminate any change of a plateau. Also, be sure to use proper form, and when you can't lift the weight for one more rep, the set is over.
The bottom line is to mix up your rep scheme from time to time to ensure you are developing both the fast twitch fibers and the slow twitch fibers to their maximum potential. - 17269
About the Author:
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posted by X - Men at
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