Is lifting lighter really safer?

[cephissus]

Recently I've been lifting heavier than usual, and I noticed:

1. My muscles actually seem to relax when I start lifting weights near my max, giving me better range of motion. I never get quite the same feeling from high-rep sets.

2. It's easier to stay focused when the reps are heavy. I don't lose concentration and lower the weight suddenly or perform a jerky movement.

I think that mindless reps are the ones the ones that hurt the most. Heavy or light isn't as important as the control you have over the weight.

Sure, you can go Ronnie style and lift too heavy, doing everything you can to grind out a weight you can't handle. But if you stay away from the extreme high-end, I think it's easier to control heavy weights. With light weights I always find myself being more careless, whether from fatigue, lack of attention, or something else.

I still like to do high volume, I just spread the reps out over more sets. That only leaves time for one or two main exercises, which is fine with me since I dont think variety really helps.

[oldtimer1]

Sometimes I think guys that use moderate to light weights are doing less wear and tear to their body but then again is that true? If you lift moderate to light weights odds are you're doing more reps and more sets. You also probably hit a body part two to three times a week because you can. That adds up to a lot of stress on the joints. Odds are if you are lifting heavy to exhaustion once a week per body part is all that any human can handle. Either method it's good to do a good range of motion under control.

[TheShape.]

I’ve tried both but I feel like I get more out of moderately heavy weight with maybe a few pump sets afterwards. Also, 3-4x a week worked better than 5-6x being a natural.

[Hypertrophy]

Sometimes I think guys that use moderate to light weights are doing less wear and tear to their body but then again is that true. If you lift moderate to light weights odds are you're doing more reps and more sets. You also probably hit a body part two to three times a week because you can. That adds up to a lot of stress on the joints. Odds are if you are lifting heavy to exhaustion once a week per body part is all that any human can handle. Either method it's good to do a good range of motion under control.

My thoughts are similar. Tried high rep/low rep/medium rep. Have settled on 8-12 reps as heavy as I can go with good form once a week for each muscle group. Feels perfect for me- no joint pain and great strength gains.

[tres_taco_combo]

i do best with high rep/low weight

i love the pumps, the mild cardio effect and i just dont go heavy much anymore

[Agnostic007]

I don't know anyone that tore a muscle doing light to moderate weights. I know at least 5 that have done it with heavier weights. So there is that...

[cephissus]

I don't know anyone that tore a muscle doing light to moderate weights. I know at least 5 that have done it with heavier weights. So there is that...

Excellent counterpoint

I always felt like I would ruin a joint before tearing a muscle, though.

[Agnostic007]

Excellent counterpoint

I always felt like I would ruin a joint before tearing a muscle, though.

I think in addition, it matters what the goal is.. I'm at the age I don't really care if I get bigger, but I do care if I can move. I'm more focused on keeping what I have, staying fit, and avoiding injury. Maybe if I was 20 or 30 again... I might push the limits. But those days are long gone

[judochoke]

61 in 5 days, still lifting heavy. have not had any problems yet. but I go at a very fast pace, about 60 seconds rest between sets. covered in a full sweat at the end of 50 minutes. I'm not going to stop lifting heavy until either I can't because of illness, or I'm 6 feet under.
who says you have to lighten the load as you get older????why??? I get good rest, good food, no alcohol.

WHO SAYS I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN?? society? my wife? my doctor?  am I making any new muscle? don't care, I will take what I have and keep going. and always finishing up with some pumper sets. I love this shit

[SOMEPARTS]

Ask Jean Pierre Fux...

[Henda]

Never usually go above 5 reps for several of the reasons mentioned but do keep them very strict and slow, I do feel it’s safer, the only time I’ve felt close to injury is during higher reps on those last few reps when already fatigued and straining and breaking form.

A weight you can’t do for 8-10 to absolute failure can usually be done for 3-5 sets of 5 relatively comfortably without ever breaking form and risking injury

[Tennisballz]

I imagine lighter is probably safer.  But heavy is a relative term.  When you add in drugs,sleeves and wraps and what not, you have people lifting weights the body isn't designed to lift.

[BB]

The trick is not to turn every heavy session into a grinder. The rise in tears and other injuries has grown with the use of drugs, plus guys that have to grind out every last rep they can get. No shame in leaving a bit in the tank.

[dr.chimps]

Yes.

[SuperTed]

I don't know anyone that tore a muscle doing light to moderate weights. I know at least 5 that have done it with heavier weights. So there is that...

It can happen. I'm sure a few posters here have suffered injuries with light weights. I remember local hero (doesn't seem to post much anymore) saying he tore his hamstring doing deadlifts with 315lbs.   

[YngiweRhoads]

I don't know anyone that tore a muscle doing light to moderate weights. I know at least 5 that have done it with heavier weights. So there is that...

Buddy of mine tore his bicep while using a warming up with light weights before doing curls. 20lb db and it snapped the tendon.

Crazy.

[hipolito mejia]

Recently I've been lifting heavier than usual, and I noticed:

1. My muscles actually seem to relax when I start lifting weights near my max, giving me better range of motion. I never get quite the same feeling from high-rep sets.

2. It's easier to stay focused when the reps are heavy. I don't lose concentration and lower the weight suddenly or perform a jerky movement.

I think that mindless reps are the ones the ones that hurt the most. Heavy or light isn't as important as the control you have over the weight.

Sure, you can go Ronnie style and lift too heavy, doing everything you can to grind out a weight you can't handle. But if you stay away from the extreme high-end, I think it's easier to control heavy weights. With light weights I always find myself being more careless, whether from fatigue, lack of attention, or something else.

I still like to do high volume, I just spread the reps out over more sets. That only leaves time for one or two main exercises, which is fine with me since I dont think variety really helps.

The main problem with lifting heavy is the wear and tear of joints.  

[Henda]

The main problem with lifting heavy is the wear and tear of joints. 

Says the gentleman who getting up out his chair is the equivalent of a 500lb back squat

[Rambone]

Probably a better idea for 40+ year olds. I feel like as long as you’re lifting at or close to failure, it doesn’t really matter in terms of hypertrophy. I’d personally rather go heavy for under 12 reps with good form for most exercises.

[ProudVirgin69]

It can happen. I'm sure a few posters here have suffered injuries with light weights. I remember local hero (doesn't seem to post much anymore) saying he tore his hamstring doing deadlifts with 315lbs.   

I heard Levrone tore his pec w a 30lb dumbbell while warming up for heavy flies 

[residue]

 

though its mainly for strength programs

[seCrawler]

 

[B_B_C]

if lifting light was the secret then the world would be full of muscle bound gym queens

[NotMrAverage]

I think basic 8-10 reps is the best way to go to build a body. Fuck high reps!

[Griffith]

I heard Levrone tore his pec w a 30lb dumbbell while warming up for heavy flies 

Seriously?