Wondering something about lifting

[Ridiculous]

I've recently started lifting (about 5 weeks ago) and I'm trying to put on mass and muscle. I was working out the other day, and some kid told me I should be starting with heavier weight... the heaviest I can possibly get a max set of reps out with.
I've been starting off with lighter weight and working up to less reps and more weight throughout 4 sets of each exercise. Which way is more effective and healthier.
I'm also using a protein supplement and increasing my diet.

[thomez]

try doing 5 sets of 5 with the heaviest weight you can do for 5 reps

try to increase the weight a little bit as often as you can

[Ridiculous]

Good advice, ill try it today, thanks!

[Strickland]

I've recently started lifting (about 5 weeks ago) and I'm trying to put on mass and muscle. I was working out the other day, and some kid told me I should be starting with heavier weight... the heaviest I can possibly get a max set of reps out with.
I've been starting off with lighter weight and working up to less reps and more weight throughout 4 sets of each exercise. Which way is more effective and healthier.
I'm also using a protein supplement and increasing my diet.
I work out regularly too, it's nice to see someone else who tries to stay healthy. :bigthumb:

If you were to use the heaviest weight possible, your arm muscles might become strained. However, if you go 10 lbs heavier, if you can handle it with marginal difficulty, you should develop muscle quicker. Remember, it's all about reps, not weight.

You might not want to use a protein supplement, actually. What would be best is to use some Creatine (http://bodybuilding.com/store/creatine.html) or even some L-Lysine (http://bodybuilding.com/fun/southfacts_lysine.htm).

Additionally, good foods to eat prior to exercising are grains. They have what you need in order to get a lot of energy and if you eat meats or fish, tuna is great, you'll recover quicker.

[Ridiculous]

I should also mention I'm incredibly skinny and have a very slim body type. 6'2", now just 150

[thomez]

Remember, it's all about reps, not weight.


Incorrect

[thomez]

http://www.ironaddicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3161

http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/

[Strickland]

http://www.ironaddicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3161

http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/
Whoops, guess I was wrong. Sorry.


That is specifically for hardgainers, is it not? My deal about reps, not weight has worked well for me, and I'm not a hardgainer. Moreover, I do about 100 reps in my routine, so should that not compensate for any hardgainer?

[thomez]

It doesn't matter if you are a hardgainer or not, if you want to get big and strong you have to lift heavy weight.

[Strickland]

It doesn't matter if you are a hardgainer or not, if you want to get big and strong you have to lift heavy weight.
Well, yeah. I'm not saying he should lift 5 lbs every day and expect to get big. I bench 105 10 sets every day and I've gotten big. It's not that heavy, but doing it 100 times each day I work out is pretty good. I'm just saying if he goes with a weight he's comfortable with for a while, and then increase it, he'll be good to go.

[thomez]

if you are benching 105 for reps of 10 you aren't big. In fact, you aren't even doing what I warm up with and maybe you should quit telling someone else how to get big :o

[Strickland]

if you are benching 105 for reps of 10 you aren't big. In fact, you aren't even doing what I warm up with and maybe you should quit telling someone else how to get big :o
Well, my arms are 11 inches thick, and that's a major improvement from how I was only a month ago.

[thomez]

congratulations

I'm just saying that you should probably have a little more experience before giving others advice.

[GinoTheGinny-DECAAAA]

if you are benching 105 for reps of 10 you aren't big. In fact, you aren't even doing what I warm up with and maybe you should quit telling someone else how to get big :owhat a dick

[Strickland]

congratulations

I'm just saying that you should probably have a little more experience before giving others advice.
Good point, but I got all my pointers from a complete health nut friend of mine, so I generally took them as truthful.

[qqmoreimo]

Good point, but I got all my pointers from a complete health nut friend of mine, so I generally took them as truthful.

the general thought process is that there are different methods for different goals. and those methods aren't the only methods for that specific goal.

also, you've only been working out for a month (from what you've posted) so what you're doing now probably won't be the best way to workout in about another month to month and a half as your body will have adjusted to your current regimen.

the best rule to go by with weight lifting in general is that CHANGE = GAINS.

[thomez]

and you have to lift heavy weights to get strong

and if you get strong, you'll get big

[qqmoreimo]

and you have to lift heavy weights to get strong

and if you get strong, you'll get big

which is correct. can't get buff sucking cock.

[qqmoreimo]

well, you can be strong but not big. some of the best powerlifters aren't as big as some bodybuilders. it really depends on your routine, BUT the defining factor in those routines are that you're lifting heavier and heavier weights to put on mass.

[thomez]

well, you can be strong but not big. some of the best powerlifters aren't as big as some bodybuilders. it really depends on your routine, BUT the defining factor in those routines are that you're lifting heavier and heavier weights to put on mass.
you don't have to be bodybuilder huge but if you are that strong you can't have small muscles

[qqmoreimo]

you don't have to be bodybuilder huge but if you are that strong you can't have small muscles

but mainly, stay classy

[Ridiculous]

Thanks for all the input...I didn't make it to the gym today, but I'm going tomorrow...
also, I do additionally take creatine

[jmezz]

I just take dbol.

[jmezz]

And deca.

[Ridiculous]

tried the 5x5 with heavy weight today. felt good

[thomez]

tried the 5x5 with heavy weight today. felt good
good deal :)

[qqmoreimo]

tried the 5x5 with heavy weight today. felt good

cool, switching to 5x5 for the next 3 weeks next week :D