Weight Training Exercises

Exercising in weight training can take different forms depending on the objective being pursued. Here are answers to frequently asked questions:

How many sets or reps (i.e. repetitions) to use for weight training exercises?

Because muscles can be developed for different purposes there are different ways to exercise in weight training. Generally you’ll want to choose from the following three choices for every weight training exercise you use in your workout routine.

1 – Muscle Size and Power (approx.: 3 sets of 6-8 reps)

As the name implies, the muscle power objective can be pursued if you want to achieve maximum size in your muscles or if you want them to be explosively strong (i.e. very powerful for short bursts at a time). In order to develop muscles this way you’ll want to use no more than 3 sets in which no more than 8 reps are used. Muscle size and power is often used for muscles that are prominently displayed on the human figure, such as the pectorals, or the biceps and triceps.

2 – Muscle Strength (approx.: 4 sets of 10-12 reps)

The muscle strength objective is pursued when you want your muscles to be effective when a high number of repetitions will be involved, or in other words when you want your muscles to be strong for a continued period of time. You’ll want to use approximately 4 sets from which 10-12 reps are performed. The muscle strength objective is often used for muscles located in your back and your abdominals.

3 – Muscle Endurance (approx.: 4 sets of 16-20 reps)

The muscle endurance objective is pursued when you want your muscles to be able to perform the same motions over an extended period of time or in other words when you want your muscles to be strong and not become tired rapidly. You’ll want to use at least 4 sets from which at least 16 repetitions are performed. The muscle endurance objective is often used for muscles in your lower body, such as those located in your legs or your buttocks.

How much weight to use for any given weight training exercise?

Because the distribution of muscle strength is unique to each there is no short answer to this question. A personal trainer simply cannot tell all his/her customers to perform a bench press using 100 pounds because it will be too difficult for some and too easy for others. Rather the idea here is to use the right amount of weight that will make you successful in accomplishing the objective set previously (muscle power, strength or endurance).

For example, say you are pursuing a muscle power objective in which you have decided to perform 3 sets of 8 repetitions each. You’ll want to make sure you don’t add too much weight so that you are able to perform all 8 repetitions before your muscles are too tired to finish the set. Conversely you’ll want to make sure you add enough weight so that you are not simply breezing past the repetitions and finish your sets of plenty of energy still left in the tank. While it may take a few workout sessions to find the right combination, once you’ll do it’ll be easy to monitor and increase weight as you progress.

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