When to up weight

[Manmeet Singh]

Im a beginner bodybuilder and after reading all the great posts on this site decided to finally put my ass to the test and gain some decent size. Now I started going to the gym 3x a week Mon, Wed, Fri Sat & Sun off doing the beginner routine i found here. The thing is though whenever I start lifting i usually start with something thats challening but i know i can do a complete set of and then i up the weight each set...but often in my second set i cant finish the new weight....
So my questions are

When should i be increasing weight? After one set or after one workout?

Is it better to start off a set with a higher weight and then move lower?

If i cant complete 3 complete sets of one given weight should i not increase the weight my next workout?

Alot of questions but i know you guys have the knowledge for my nubtacularness

Thanks

[roKstar87]

when i can do 3 sets over 10 reps i would up the weight

[narcsarge]

Bump^^

roKstar87 has it right. Start w/ 3 sets of 10 for your compound exercises. Once 3 sets becomes easy, up your weight.

[hrpiii]

Here's where many people do different things. That is probably good for just starting out, but once you get a little more comfortable with your form and lifting, you may want to change that up.

I know about what I can lift and start with a good weight, and shoot for 8-10 repgs. If I get 10 reps on the first set, I'm upping the weight and pushing myself a little harder to get the same 8-10. If I get 8, I may keep the same weight for two more set and up it again on my last set. Or if I struggle to get 6 and my form is horrible, I'll back it back down.

Some days, I'll try and just push heavy weights, so I'll shoot for 4-6 reps, with 4-5 sets.

As a beginner, form is more important than weight. The weights will come, but without good form.. an injury will stop any progress.

[Steve7]

So do you guys use the same weight for each set and try and do the same number of reps? Cuz usually I start off with a moderate weight, do 10 reps, then go up, do 8 reps, and then go up again and do 6 reps...

[PhiSigPhi]

Originally Posted by Steve7

So do you guys use the same weight for each set and try and do the same number of reps? Cuz usually I start off with a moderate weight, do 10 reps, then go up, do 8 reps, and then go up again and do 6 reps...

Thats called pyramiding, and thats a whole nother concept, albeit, one I have found a lot of success with.

[Steve7]

Does pyramiding have a specific purpose then? Like for strength gain or size gain or whatever? Are there different advantages for using the same amoung of weight for every set trying to get the same number of reps..?

[PhiSigPhi]

Pyramiding allows you to hit a different amount of repition ranges

So you are getting in endurance sets, hypertrophy sets, and strength sets.

I personally feel its great for Hypertrophy b/c you dont go to high or to low from 8-10 reps while still not neglecting your endurance or strength.

I'm not particularly sure of the advantage of using the same weight for the samea mount of reps per set except that perhaps it allows you to focus in on one of these aspects (strength, size, or endurance).

Hopefully someone can add more to it if theres more to add haha.

[Steve7]

Alright, another stupid question maybe...lol what exactly is hypertrophy..?

[PhiSigPhi]

Originally Posted by Steve7

Alright, another stupid question maybe...lol what exactly is hypertrophy..?

LoL. No stupid questions here

Hypertrophy is basically the act of your muscles growing.

Thats a very simple way to describe it

[Steve7]

Hmm well that sounds like what i want the most, so looks like pyramiding is a good strategy!

[PhiSigPhi]

Originally Posted by Steve7

Hmm well that sounds like what i want the most, so looks like pyramiding is a good strategy!

Yeah you cant go wrong with pyramiding. try it for a couple of months and then switch it up a little bit. Try all kinds of things, that way you'll figure out what works for you best.

[Steve7]

Oh well I mean I've been doin pyramiding every since i started workin out cuz i thought that was just the way you did it lol and i've been liftin for probably about 3-4 years...so sounds like i might need to switch it up now..? Lol

[PhiSigPhi]

Is it working? Are you seeing results consistantly that you want? If you are getting the results you want, no need to switch it up at all!

[Adrian7]

Steve, you're asking good questions and educating yourself. I appluad that, and I've pos-repped you.

[Steve7]

Yeah, i almost always get results. I rarely hit plateau's for a long time...so it must just be the best way for me! If i ever do feel like it's not working out too well then i'll switch it up to same weight/same reps.
Thanks Adrian! I don't know if I've ever got rep...I'll give you some once i figure out how to!

[PhiSigPhi]

Originally Posted by Steve7

Yeah, i almost always get results. I rarely hit plateau's for a long time...so it must just be the best way for me! If i ever do feel like it's not working out too well then i'll switch it up to same weight/same reps.
Thanks Adrian! I don't know if I've ever got rep...I'll give you some once i figure out how to!

Sounds good and come back on the boards and let us know what you are tryin to do and show us what you came up with. We'll help you tweak it so you can best get the results your lookin for!

[Adrian7]

Thanks Adrian! I don't know if I've ever got rep...I'll give you some once i figure out how to!

You just click on the little scales at the top right hand corner of posts. Anyway, spread it around! It doesn't hurt you, and nobody gets any unless they use what they have and build off of it.

[Steve7]

Oh, sweet i got it now! Lol

[Adrian7]

Cool! As long as you continue in your hunt for knowledge, not only will you be able to spread rep to those who help you, but spread the knowledge you gain and in turn get repped for that as well.