How much weight should I be lifting?

nicecupotay

Its been a few years since I've been to the gym,
and I am after getting myself a weight bench which I have been using for the past couple of months(I was doing various types of press-ups prior to that for a few months),so I already got my basic strength training up and running.
My question is,how many reps/sets should I be aiming for to build up a bit of strength and size(not looking to get very big,just put on a few pounds,I'm 5'11" and about 12 1/2 stone),and should I be eating straight after a training session?

Mellor

What exercises are you doing or planning to do? What way do you arrange your training during the week.

Seeing as you only mentioned a bench.
Start with a light easily managable weight.
Do 5 sets of 5 reps.
Make small increases to the weight each week/session.

nicecupotay

Mellor wrote: »

What exercises are you doing or planning to do? What way do you arrange your training during the week.

I'm trying to train 3 times a week,I have 50kg weight for the barbell,and last night I bench pressed 4 sets of 8 reps with that.
Should I get more weights so to decrease the reps?

I also have two dumbbells that I think are 8kg.
I'm looking at just doing upper body workouts as I'm mountainbiking on a weekly basis(and running as of last night for the first time in years!!)

Mellor

If you can bench all your weights for 4x8 then yeah, you'd need to get more weight plates. Say 2x20, 10, 5, 2.5 & 1.25kg plates should be fine.
Start low doing 5x5 and add 2.5kg or 5kg each week.

Most people would advise you to train youe legs too as running and mountain biking are not the same as weight/strength training.