Okay. me and a friend had an argument about this, it's not really for weight lifting, but just dumbells...

Is it better to do like 10 reps of a 25lb weight (less reps, more weight) or would it be better to do like 50 reps of a 5lb weight (more reps, less weight)??

 

depends on what the goal is.... to increase strenght the first, to increase endurance the second.

I find that working out with lighter weights and more reps gets you more toned, and the oppisite gets you bigger.

Light+Reps good for beach time, Heavy+less Reps good for winter (by this I mean in new york almost everyone puts on extra weight in winter, since they are wearing many cloths, you cant really loose weight (diet) and gain muscle, I put on weight, build up muscle (winter months) and now am starting the opposite (lose fat, tone muscle).

 

If you want to build mass, you want to do less reps, more weight.
If you want shape or define, you want to do more reps, less weight.

 

50 reps with the 5lb won't do that much other than give you endurance, Topcat and Ninethreeleven are correct.

If mass is your goal, go heavy for 10-12 reps per set, if power is your goal, do 1-5 reps super heavy, for endurance see above...

 

Look up GVT Training

High volume trainging will make you atrophy.

It sounds like you guys are starting out.

I would recommend doing 25lbs for 10-12reps for 3 sets.
Then once you get more conditioned you can do 50lbs for 6-8 reps for 3 sets. Then later you can blast your muscles to submission by doing GVT training.

 

Look up GVT Training

It sounds like you guys are starting out.

I would recommend doing 25lbs for 10-12reps for 3 sets.
Then once you get more conditioned you can do 50lbs for 6-8 reps for 3 sets. Then later you can blast your muscles to submission by doing GVT training.

 

I dont believe in doing a certain number of reps to "shape" or tone muscle. Your muscle shape is determined by genetics. The heavier you lift, the more muscle is needed....anywhere from 1-12 reps. If you can do more than 12 easily, it is too light.

If you dont believe me look at bodybuilders and athletes. The only thing u are doing by doing less weight and more reps is telling your body that it doesn't need to sustain its muscle mass and that it should break down its muscle structure to the point where it can support the less weight u are working with.

And always use free weights of course. I see tons of big guys at my gym who walk around like they have a body to be proud of. They are huge, 190-220lbs but when you look at them they have no muscle density. And it shows when they do bench press or squats, ESPECIALLY SQUATS.

 

all good comments in here.. if you are interested in more information about lifting, come check out


www.irontrybe.com

there are lots of great people over there any they will answer all your questions..

good luck