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.
In 2016 a study at McMaster University in Ontario, USA found that lifting relatively light weights (about 50% of your one-rep max) for about 20–25 reps is just as efficient at building both strength and muscle size as lifting heavier weights (up to 90% of one-rep max) for 8-12 reps.
Goals: If your goal is muscle endurance or toning, 20 reps can be appropriate. For building maximum strength, lower reps with heavier weights might be more effective. Fatigue and Form: Performing 20 reps can lead to fatigue, which might compromise form and increase the risk of injury.
If you divide 25 reps between four sets (about 6 reps per set) then 25 reps is not unreasonable. But if you can complete 25 reps per set, you probably need to increase the amount of weight that you are lifting. Learn More How Much Weight Should I Lift?
4 sets of 10 reps is generally considered better for building strength and muscle size. This rep range allows for lifting heavier weights, which stimulates muscle growth and strength gains.
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.
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.
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.
A high repetition scheme with light loads, defined as 15 or more repetitions per set with loads below 60 percent of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) optimizes muscular endurance improvements, according to a 2021 review in Sports. Pro: Muscle Growth.
Vary reps depending on the workout
Sure, you might be able to do more than 15 push-ups, but Akande says that going too far combined with inadequate recovery can lead to microtraumas in the muscles, and even hormonal imbalances that can mess up your cortisol levels, impacting muscle growth and overall health.
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.
Train like a bodybuilder: If you're looking to maximize muscle size, target 8-12 reps per set (on average) and choose multijoint movements like the bench press, squat, overhead press, bent-over row, and deadlift, which recruit more total muscle mass than single-joint moves, thus allowing you to lift heavier weights.
According to The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), 2-3 sets of 12 to 20+ reps will help build muscular endurance, while 3-6 sets of 6-12 reps will build muscular hypertrophy and 3-5 sets of 3-5 reps will build muscular power.
“The main benefit of this model, and why everyone is talking about it, is that it's such a well-rounded approach. The ranges come with different effects—in the set of six, you're lifting a heavier weight, bringing strength. The set of 12 brings muscle building, the set of 25 creates endurance and helps fat loss.”
Be sure to keep your weekly training volume (the total of your working sets) for chest between 12-16 total reps. If you find out you are performing more than 20 sets per week, there is a very good chance you are doing TOO much and are actually diminishing your bodies ability to build new muscle mass.
Press your hands and knees to the floor with your back in a neutral position and your wrists aligned directly under your shoulders. Gaze about one foot in front of you. Your nose should point toward the floor and the back of your neck should be parallel to the ceiling.
It's an accessible core workout
The army crawl plank is a bodyweight exercise and one of the best plank variations for building stronger shoulders and core muscles. You're more likely to find the exercise crop up in bootcamp-style classes than traditional strength training.
Commando planks help strengthen your lower back, glutes and hamstrings, encouraging better posture and protecting your spine. But doing them wrong could lead to injury. These are the most common mistakes we see. Commando planks require stability, coordination and balance as you move one side of your body at a time.
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.
Increase the intensity of your workouts instead of working out for long periods of time. Make sure you're getting enough calories and protein in your diet for muscle growth. Get plenty of sleep and give your muscles time for recovery. Try supplements for more strength, energy, and power, like creatine and HMB.
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.
4 to 8 sets per muscle per week is now your minimum. If that's what you were doing as a beginner, you'll want to aim for 8 to 15 sets per muscle per week. At this point, your weekly volume will be much more manageable if you train three to five days a week, working each muscle at least twice.
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.