radict Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hey, quick question: is it true that high rep sets don't stimulate the production of testosterone or growth hormone and, as a result, don't promote hypertrophy? I'm on a cycle now where I do two weeks focused solely on 15 rep sets w/30 seconds rest between sets, two weeks with 10 reps and 60 seconds rest, then two weeks at 5 reps w/90 seconds rest. All are exhausting in their own way, but am I wasting time with the 15 rep sets? Apologies if this was already covered, I couldn't find a similar topic in the search engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hello mate... In my experience I've found high reps / longer time under tension can be quite productive for stimulating growth, especially were my legs are concerned. If your goal is to optimize your muscular development, then the weight is of second importance, growth is stimulated by fatiguing the muscles. In this interview, leading researcher in the field of exercise physiology Dr Wayne Westcott talks about rep ranges...http://www.highintensitynation.com/2011/10/high-intensity-training-interview-of-the-month-dr-wayne-westcott/ BestRob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emrys Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 High reps are actually better for hypertrophy. Low reps/heavy weight are for strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 High reps are actually better for hypertrophy. Low reps/heavy weight are for strength. Indeed, especially for those with slow twitch fiber dominate muscles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbear666 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 what do you guys see as high reps? to me its above 20, just wondering if it is the same for you guys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esqinchi Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 what do you guys see as high reps? to me its above 20, just wondering if it is the same for you guys? I tend to do sets of 12-15 with mid-heavy weights. I go higher when using light weights, maybe 30, but that is pretty rare, and then it is more about working to failure. I always thought that lower rep training (w/ heavy weights) was in the 6-10 rep range? I guess it could be different for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 what do you guys see as high reps? to me its above 20, just wondering if it is the same for you guys? Hi Mike, For me, i tend to use a weight that allows me to still stay within an anaerobic pathway, that's means no more than 60-70 seconds of time under tension, so for example, if i was taking 3-4 seconds to complete a rep, then your talking anywhere between 15-20+. As far as an exact rep number goes, i don't have one, just whatever rep i hit failure on. BestRob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbear666 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 i think thats what i kinda do at the moment Rob, gives a better pump too! im trying to stop worrying about numbers and just go for feeling nowadays.............lighter weights higher reps has gotta be better for joints tendons and so on also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegan_rossco Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Hey rob, do you go to failure each set? I always told to avoid going to failure.. But am willing to give it a try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) i think thats what i kinda do at the moment Rob, gives a better pump too! im trying to stop worrying about numbers and just go for feeling nowadays.............lighter weights higher reps has gotta be better for joints tendons and so on also That's it mate, as long as you still staying within an anaerobic pathway your good ta go. Are high reps better for the joints / connective tissues? There is unfortunately a wear and tear / damage element here too. Edited October 25, 2013 by HIT Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) Hey rob, do you go to failure each set? I always told to avoid going to failure.. But am willing to give it a try Hey Ross I've had a lot of debates over this one lol This is what i believe... The stimulus needs to be of a sufficient magnitude to warrant an adaptive response. You literately need to threaten your own physiology, and in my opinion, performing 4,5,6 or even 10 sets to only a certain point with the same weight and for an arbitrary number of reps just doesn't cut the mustard! I've (and anyone i've ever trained) always found training to failure to be the most productive and efficient way to train. Listen to how Mike Mentzer explain's it at the start of this When training to positive failure, and as you grow stronger, one MUST properly manage the stress (yes you can train to failure and manage stress), and one MUST regulated their volume and frequency accordingly, if you don't....your progress will come to a grinding halt. BestRob Edited October 25, 2013 by HIT Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegan_rossco Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Thanks Rob! Always good to have someone around with a proper knowledge and understanding I'll give it a go man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIT Rob Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 No worries mate, as Mike Mentzer told me "i don't have exhaustive knowledge, but am certain about what am certain about" lol Build up to just one set to failure per movement, and unsure and maintain strict form, though i probably don't need to tell ya that:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mini Forklift Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Hello,In fact High reps are superior for hypertrophy. And Low reps are for muscle. Thank you.Isn't hypertrophy muscle? Don't quite get what you mean That aside, it's still a very blanket statement. Everybody is different, and while certain theories hold true for the most part it definitely isn't a given. I managed to gain a lot of muscle on relatively low rep training (as opposed to your typical 8-12 rep bodybuilding-type-hypertrophy rep ranges), so for me I wouldn't exclusively increase my reps if hypertrophy was my primary goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderer Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 I've always considered anything over 10 to be high reps. This is just me personally but if I can do 10 reps or more I know I need to up the weight, basically if I can do that many reps I'm not having fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Morgan Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 According to eric Helms from 3DMJ whom I strongly agree with on this point the only thing that really matter is total work load. So someone doing 5x5 @ 120 ibs is doing a total tonage of 3000 ibs. someone doing 3x10 at only 100 ibs is also totaling 3000 ibs of tonage so they are going to get the same over all muscular development. There may be other benefits in terms of sports specific training to doing one or the other, but if you're only goal is muscular development then it really is't making a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Morgan Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Actually, after rereading what I said, I only partially agree with myself. The way i applied it was relevant, but it almost sounds like you could infinitely keep doing more sets and still continue to get better results with the more sets by increasing work load and I don't think that is accurate either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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