Training Volume

[J. Chimpo]

Do you guys use the same sets/reps all year round or do you change it?
If so, is it to prevent training from getting boring, or is it to get better muscle growth?

[blondmusclhunk]

Ill add in a set of higher reps for each muscle group from time to time at the end ie chest ill do one set light weight at the end of my heavy sets.  Mostly though its best to change out an excercise every 3 months or so for each of the excercises you do in all your muscle groups.  For instance instead of bench switch to dumbells for a month; then go back to bench and do incliine with dumbells for awhile etc:  do this with back, tris etc.  Keep changing up your excercises. to confuse the muscle and make it work.

Thanks,
-steve

[J. Chimpo]

Ill add in a set of higher reps for each muscle group from time to time at the end ie chest ill do one set light weight at the end of my heavy sets.  Mostly though its best to change out an excercise every 3 months or so for each of the excercises you do in all your muscle groups.  For instance instead of bench switch to dumbells for a month; then go back to bench and do incliine with dumbells for awhile etc:  do this with back, tris etc.  Keep changing up your excercises. to confuse the muscle and make it work.

Thanks,
-steve

Thanks for answering my question

[buffbong]

i do a routine for a month and then change all my exersizes the next month. always focusing to add strength. but i do the same amount of volume year round and reps same  i either do 8-6 for work sets for the  big movments or 10-8. and for for stuff like chins flyes ill do sets of ten ...

[Jr. Yates]

I go by the day. Sometimes im training and i just want to go crazy and end the workout with what some people start with and other days i stick to routine and do a basic shoulder workout for example.

[J. Chimpo]

The reason for my question is that when i was training with a friend who´s a powerlifter we use the same reps for a month say 5 reps and five sets on the exercises then next month we goes down to 3 reps and on and on. But when I started to train in more of a bodybuilding way I try to go for a good pump and feel, but I have a hard time not to think about fixed reps and sets all the time when I train, that´s why I asked you guys if you stayed the same or if you change it around.

[blondmusclhunk]

One thing to remember about bodybuilding and power lifters... Power lifters lift for the strength; bodybuilders lift for the look.   Some powerlifters are FAT, some skinny but lift a lot.  Most body builders can lift a lot but there are some that don't and look huge.  Remember you want the look, symmetry strength is a key component but the look is everything in body building.

[MidniteRambo]

If I start becoming too comfortable in a particular routine, (after 3-4 weeks ususally) that's when I know it's time to change things up.  One way to do that, other than different exercises is go with different amounts of reps and sets.