Personal trainer explains the difference between lifting more weight or doing more reps in the gym. Find out which is the most suitable
If you’re a bodybuilder, you probably already know that the more weight you lift, the fewer reps you’ll be able to do. That is, if with 10 kg you can do a set of 15, with 20 kg, that number will probably go down. But, after all, is it better to increase the load or the number of repetitions?
Many believe that heavier weight is associated with increased muscle mass, while performing more reps helps burn fat. However, that’s not exactly the case.
“For the definition to happen we need hypertrophy. That is, the person who wants to be defined, who wants to increase his musculature, will train hypertrophy all year round”, explains the coach and sports adviser, Leandro Twin. This means that even if you want to lose fat, your goal in bodybuilding should be hypertrophy.
However, there are other goals in bodybuilding, so the recommendation between increasing the load or the number of repetitions can vary. Therefore, the expert highlighted the three most common goals in the gym and recommended what is most appropriate for each of them. Watch:
More weight or more reps? it depends on the goal
Hypertrophy (definition and increase in muscle mass) – “We need to bring our sets to failure in about 6-12 moves, with as much weight as possible,” says Twin.
Localized muscular resistance – “I would also train to failure, however, with 20-30 reps and the highest load within that number,” indicates the pro.
Force – “The ideal is to work 1 to 5 repetitions until failure and the highest possible load”, concludes the trainer.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
