If your aim is hypertrophy (to build muscle), the sweet spot is 3 to 4 sets of 6 to 12 reps.
Yes, performing 4 sets of 12 reps can be effective for building muscle, especially if you are using an appropriate weight that challenges you. Here are some key points to consider: Volume: Four sets of 12 reps provide a solid volume of work, which is important for muscle hypertrophy (growth).
Anywhere between 1-8 reps for a total of 3-10 sets may be programmed, with the higher number of reps being geared more towards a strength/hypertrophy goal. More on this below. For hypertrophy (muscle growth) the number of reps will generally be higher. Somewhere between 3-6 sets of 7-12 reps is a good rule of thumb.
Can doing 4 sets be excessive when training to failure? No, 4 sets per week for each muscle is enough as long as it's to failure/past failure. Yes, pushing yourself to complete failure can lead to overtraining, particularly if you're a beginner. No, doing 4 sets is not excessive when training to failure.
This holds that regardless of whether you're trying to build muscle, strength, power, or endurance, performing three sets of 10 reps per exercise is a good place to start.
If you are looking to increase your muscular endurance you should be lifting lighter weights for more reps (12+) (Baechle & Earle, 2019). If you are looking to lose fat, then you are looking to lift light to mid weight for higher reps (10-15) (Tuminello, 2014).
So let's talk about the “correct” number of sets per exercise. The simple answer: “Do 3-5 work sets of a given exercise.” Just make sure you're not compromising your form.
Remember, health experts recommend fitting in at least two strength training workouts per week. That means you can make progress when it comes to sculpting your muscles and getting stronger, even if you're only able to exercise twice a week.
On the other hand, Sheridan says that beginners just looking to tone up might aim for a maximum of 20 reps per set. “If you can implement above 20 reps, there is a chance that you are practicing with light or easy weights, which will not help you improve or grow,” he warns.
A Moderate Rep Range is Often Best. Sets of anywhere from 4–40 reps will stimulate muscle growth quite well, but most research shows that doing 6–20 reps per set is the most efficient way to build muscle. Bodybuilders often use the middle of that range, favouring 8–12 reps per set.
The research also states the most effective range of sets is 5-10 sets per week per muscle group for muscle growth, and 2 sets per week per muscle group for strength. These can be easily attained in a well-rounded programme.
Strength-training workouts that employ low weights and high reps are good for your heart and lungs as well as building muscles. This includes high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, which entail alternating between pushing your body hard and taking short breaks.
Rest between set durations should be based on sets/exercise (volume), and not load or training goal. General recommendations include moderate (2 min) rest between sets if performing 2 sets/exercise, long rest (3 min) if performing 3 sets/exercise, and very long rest (> 4 min) if performing 4 sets or more/exercise.
Recent studies have shown that while 4x8 workouts are effective for inducing muscle growth, they are not the best way to do so. The key to maximizing muscle growth is to overload the muscles with heavier weights and volumes.
Studies back this up, finding that as long as the weekly volume of work is the same, two full-body workout splits a week, elicit the same strength gains and muscle hypertrophy as a 4-day split-muscle routine [1]. Flexibility: Plenty of time to program in rest days or days focusing on other training e.g. cardio.
“If all you do is walk briskly for 30 minutes, you've burned just 200 calories. Since 3,500 calories is a pound of fat, you'd need 17.5 days to lose one single pound. At most, you'd be losing two pounds a month.
WHAT IS HYPERTROPHY? Muscle hypertrophy (known simply as hypertrophy) is an increase in the size of a muscle, or its cross- sectional area attributed to an increase in the size and/ or number of myofibrils (actin and myosin) within a given muscle fiber.
How Many Reps You Should Do to Build Muscle. If your goal is to build muscle, workouts with reps as low as five and as high as 30 will do the job. We suggest you stick to five to seven reps per set for heavier, compound movement and between eight and 12 reps per set for smaller muscles and single-joint exercises.
Best Ways to Work Muscles
Typically, weight training for 20 to 30 minutes two to three times a week will help you see results. If you don't know what muscle groups to target or how to build muscle, try working with a personal trainer who can tailor a plan to your specific needs.
Activities like running, cycling, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) burn more calories and fat throughout the body, including the upper belly, lower belly, and obliques. So, while ab exercises can help define your core, it's a holistic approach that will help you lose the fat covering those muscles.
You can lower body fat.
But regular light lifting, along with regular cardiovascular exercise and healthful eating, can build lean muscle mass, says Benten. With consistent light lifting, your body will look leaner and more toned, and your clothes will fit better.