Rep Question

[workoutfreak078]

I am sort of confused a bit on this topic. When you are bulking, and doing 6 - 8 reps, do you stop at the 8th rep, even though you can do more, or do you go until failure? Or do you usually just take a weight that is high enough, so you cannot get more than 8 reps? I max out a lot of the machines, and free weights at the gym, so I can always do more than 8 reps. I am confused on how all this works, can someone please clear this up for me?

Thanks.

[Drako]

You should be using a weight that you can only reach 8 reps on if your feeling like you can do more then you dont have enough weight on the bar etc. If you feel like you can still push out more weight then your not pushing yourself enough.

Keep challenging your muscles because once you stop challenging them, they will stop improving its as simple as that.

[Skarhead1]

Work all of the rep ranges to recruit all muscle fibers. however, there are certain muscle groups that usually respond better to lower reps and some higher... ie hams lower and hip extensors higher.... but dont get caught up in the logic there is only 1 right rep range... all rep ranges have their purpose in lifting and should be utilized

[Behemoth]

Once you lift sufficiently heavy, all muscle fibers are recruited, so rep range doesn't really matter. Personally, I prefer to think in percentage of 1 RM instead and just shoot for a certain amount of total reps with that weight. It eliminates a lot of the confusion about "hey bro should I go for 7 or 8 reps, cuz I heard if I only do 7 it will magically make the weight not be effective at all bro" and allows you to focus on progression instead.

[Trevdog]

I agree with what has been said. I think it makes sense to try to go to failure in at least one set per exercise. I think if you go to failure in every set you probably end up overtraining.

[Skarhead1]

Once you lift sufficiently heavy, all muscle fibers are recruited, so rep range doesn't really matter. Personally, I prefer to think in percentage of 1 RM instead and just shoot for a certain amount of total reps with that weight. It eliminates a lot of the confusion about "hey bro should I go for 7 or 8 reps, cuz I heard if I only do 7 it will magically make the weight not be effective at all bro" and allows you to focus on progression instead.

Yes, but recruited and trained are two different things here.. Doing a heavy 1 rep max will recruit a LOT of muscle fiber, won't stimulate for growth however.