Higher reps or low reps for size?

Seanohea

I've seen some different views online, what is the best way to increase size? By doing high reps or low reps? I'm currently doing starting strength program. I was wondering what's the best way from peoples expierience

Scuba Ste

Doesnt matter imo, Eating big is more important.

Transform

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Doesnt matter imo, Eating big is more important.

agreed and just get stronger - vary up the rep range and keep adding more weight to the bar

Barry.Oglesby

It doesn't matter at all except for the fact that it does. But really it depends on whwre you're at right now, what your training age is and so on. Novices can gain size quite easily by just picking up heavy stuff at regular intervals and eating a lot. Someone with more time in needs more careful consideration and a suck it and see approach.

We might make a video on this if anyone is interested? No promises, we're a bit busy at the mo but if we find time we could do it?

Inspector Coptoor

I agree with Barry here.

Anything will work for a beginner.

But, if you've been training to some sort of level for 2-3 years, then it does make a difference what type of training you are doing and the weight/rep ranges become more important

i.e.
training for max power would be 85-95% of 1rm for 3 sets of 1-3 reps

training for max strength would be 80% + of 1rm for 6+ sets of 1-4 reps

training for hypertrophy/size would be 60 - 80% of 1rm for 8-25 reps

but as barry said, this kind of training is for an athlete with a good bit of training behind them.

discus

Ah yeah do it. I'd be interested in knowing getting some info on all this...

shootermacg

While it varies with goals a good rule of thumb for size starting is between 8 and 12 reps per set, 3 or 4 sets per compound/big muscle groups, 3 sets for arms.
Remember to rest your muscles, if they are sore then don't work them heavy (although light weights may loosen them out).
Make sure you're stretching well afterwards.

Barry.Oglesby

Okay we've got some time this evening so Will is going to grab the camera and talk through a couple of different programmes. We get this question quite a lot. I'll post it up this evening if I have time and if not I'll get it done tomorrow afternoon.

rubadub

Dunno if this was linked elsewhere

The Myth of Non-Functional Hypertrophy

shootermacg

rubadub wrote: »

Dunno if this was linked elsewhere

The Myth of Non-Functional Hypertrophy

Good read rub! Size seems to be about the food. I was on a 12,10,8,6 rep range, I may just change it to 4 sets of 8 and increase the weight.
Not making much gains atm because I'm trying to cut and it's leaving me fairly wrecked in the gym, cycled off the creatine atm also AND the bloody heat isn't helping either ^ ^. Anyway enough complaining!:D

So anybody here change their sets/reps when cutting, I'd like to hear.